Disaster Unemployment Assistance

A federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States in situations where they are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law). Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning with the first week following the date the major disaster began and for up to 26 weeks after the major disaster was declared by the President, as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the incident. The maximum weekly benefit amount is determined under the provisions of the state law for unemployment insurance in the state where the disaster occurred. The program is administered by states as agents of the federal government.