Posted by CAI on 9/19/18
The Division of Employment Security (DES) announced on Monday, September 17, 2018 that eight counties in North Carolina have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) due to the effects of Hurricane Florence. They are as follows: Beaufort County, Brunswick County, Carteret County, Craven County, New Hanover County, Onslow County, Pamlico County, and Pender County. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date.
Individuals from the above-named counties who are affected by the disaster and are unable to continue working must file an application for benefits within 30 days from September 17 – or, by October 17, 2018.
The Division updated the list and announced on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 that individuals in the following counties who are affected by the disaster, and are unable to continue working, must file an application for benefits within 30 days (by October 18, 2018). Bladen County, Columbus County, Cumberland County, Duplin County, Harnett County, Lenoir County, Jones County, Robeson County, Sampson County, and Wayne County.
Employees and Business owners who became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Florence impacting North Carolina, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the DUA program. DUA is available for weeks of employment beginning with the week starting September 9, 2018, and may last for up to 26 weeks, as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues due to Hurricane Florence.
Employees or business owners meeting the following criteria may be eligible for benefits:
- Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster, and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits. If you are eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits, you must first exhaust those benefits before you are eligible for DUA.
- Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
- Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
- Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury of the previous major supplier of household income.
- Individuals who are unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
- Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment but were prevented from doing so by the disaster.
Please visit here, News and Highlights, for continued updates and claim filing requirements. Also note this from DES SITE: Due to a computer upgrade DES has scheduled for Monday, Sept. 24, all claims functions – including claims applications – will be unavailable from 5pm on Sept. 24 until 8am on Sept. 28. Keep this in mind and do not delay in filing your application ASAP!