(10-27-2025) - Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available for qualified individuals in Western Alaska

Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available for qualified individuals in Western Alaska

Oct. 27, 2025
No. 25-21

Western Alaska - Individuals who lived or were employed in the Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), Lower Yukon REAA, and Northwest Arctic Borough areas at the time of the disaster may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

In response to a request for federal assistance by Governor Mike Dunleavy, the jurisdictions of the Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Lower Yukon REAA, and Northwest Arctic Borough have been officially declared disaster areas due to the severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong that occurred Oct. 8-13, 2025.

Individuals living or working in the disaster area may qualify for DUA if they have experienced any of the following:

• Disqualified or exhausted entitlement to regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits;
• Worked, were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area covered by the disaster declaration;
• Became unemployed or unable to work as a direct result of the disaster;
• Unable to reach their place of employment or business as a direct result of the disaster;
• Cannot work due to an injury caused by the disaster; or
• Have become the major support of the household due to a death directly related to the disaster.

Applicants may be eligible for $153 to $370 per week for up to 27 weeks beginning the week ending October 25, 2025. Applicants must first apply for regular UI benefits by calling (888) 252-2557 or (907) 269-4700, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you have already submitted an application for regular UI benefits, there is no need to contact the UI Claim Center again. Sel f-employed individuals or others who do not qualify for regular UI benefits but were unable to perform services due to the disaster may apply for DUA by calling 907-269-4700 directly.

Applications for DUA must be submitted no later than Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

Applicants will need to provide their social security number, contact information for their most recent employer, and dates worked. Unemployed and self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide documentation about their wages or self-employment earnings. Eligible earnings documentation would be the most recent federal tax records for tax year 2024, proof of employment prior to the disaster, or documents showing pending employment impacted by the disaster.

Reference: FEMA-4893-DR issued on Oct. 22, 2025.

For more information about DUA, read the DUA Handbook here.