California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
01/14/2025 | Press release | Archived content
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Now Available to Los Angeles County Workers Impacted by California Wildfires and Severe Winds
NR No. 25-04
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
[email protected]
What You Need to Know: In response to the wildfires and windstorms, federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for workers and self-employed people who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. DUA benefit claims must be filed by March 10, 2025.
SACRAMENTO - Los Angeles County workers impacted by the severe wildfires and winds can now apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), or regular unemployment benefits. The Employment Development Department (EDD) administers these benefits. DUA is for workers-such as self-employed people-who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits and lost their jobs or had hours reduced because of the disaster.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that people in Los Angeles County who lost work or self-employment as a direct result of the disaster can now apply for federal DUA benefits. The new DUA availability follows a presidential Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4856-DR) issued January 8, 2025.
In addition, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County and issued an executive order supporting communities affected by the ongoing fires and waiving the one-week-waiting period for affected workers who qualify for regular unemployment benefits. The Governor's order also allows employers to request up to a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes.
DUA benefits apply to losses beginning the week of January 12, 2025. Eligible full-time workers can receive between $186 and $450 per week, for up to 26 weeks. Part-time workers may also be eligible for benefits. Eligible individuals who were unemployed as of January 12 can request to have their claim start on that date, even if they apply after January 12. The last payable week of this emergency benefit ends July 12, 2025.
DUA benefits help people affected by a federally-declared disaster who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits and meet any of the following criteria:
- Worked, or were a business owner or self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, in the disaster area. This includes, and is not limited to, those in agricultural and fishing industries.
- Cannot reach their workplace due to the disaster or can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
- Cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
- Became the head of their household due to a death caused by the disaster.
- The work or self-employment they can no longer perform must have been their primary source of income.
Impacted workers should check the box on the application that asks if their unemployment is a direct result of a recent disaster. EDD must first check if the applicant is eligible for regular unemployment benefits before processing the claim for DUA benefits. As part of this process, applicants may receive a letter indicating that they're not eligible for regular unemployment while EDD works to process their DUA claim. All impacted workers should apply for benefits, and EDD will determine whether DUA or regular state unemployment applies.
DUA benefit claims must be filed by March 10, 2025, unless the individual has good cause to submit a late application.
All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or other documentation to support that the applicant was working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Documentation for the self-employed can be obtained from banks, government entities, or affidavits from individuals having knowledge of their business.
The fastest and easiest way to apply for benefits is through myEDD, and then select UI Online, which is available in English, Spanish, Armenian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. When submitting an application online, select direct deposit to have benefit payments automatically deposited into a personal bank account, rather than by a mailed debit card or check.
EDD representatives are available to help in person at Local Assistance Centers, known as Disaster Recovery Centers during the emergency.
The following Disaster Recovery Centers are open:
|
Pasadena City College |
UCLA Research Park West |
For more details, including hours of operation, visit California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) News.
People can also apply by phone between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays:
- English and Spanish: 1-800-300-5616
- Armenian: 1-855-528-1518
- Cantonese: 1-800-547-3506
- Korean: 1-844-660-0877
- Mandarin: 1-866-303-0706
- Tagalog: 1-866-395-1513
- Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058
- All Other Languages: 1-800-300-5616. Interpreter services are available free of charge.
- TTY: 1-800-815-9387
EDD's Disaster-Related Services webpage includes more information for individuals impacted by disasters. Employers can visit Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers or call EDD's Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-888-745-3886 for information about reporting or tax filing extensions.
Job seekers can find the America's Job Center of CaliforniaSM location nearest them for access to job-search resources, training programs and more.
To learn more about active emergencies, visit ready.ca.gov.
EDD administers the federal disaster-benefits program in California for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, on behalf of FEMA.