Thousands of workers and self-employed individuals in Los Angeles County are reeling from the economic fallout from the recent wildfires and severe windstorms.
Among the hardest-hit areas is the historically Black community of Altadena, where job losses and financial instability have been widespread.
To provide relief, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) is now offering federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for those who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
Eligible individuals can receive up to $450 per week for up to 26 weeks, with claims due by March 10.
The program, administered by EDD in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), follows a Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4856-DR) issued by President Joe Biden on Jan. 8.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has also declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, waiving the one-week waiting period for affected workers and extending filing deadlines for employers.
DUA benefits are available to individuals whose employment or self-employment was directly impacted by the disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
This includes workers whose workplaces were damaged or destroyed, those unable to reach their jobs due to disaster-related closures and individuals who suffered injuries or became the head of their household due to disaster related fatalities.
Eligible workers can claim benefits retroactively to the week of Jan. 12, with the last payable week ending July 12.
Part-time workers may also qualify, with benefit amounts ranging from $186 to $450 per week.
Applicants must first be evaluated for regular unemployment benefits before their DUA claims can be processed. Applications can be submitted online or in person.
Applicants must submit documentation proving employment or self-employment at the time of the disaster.
Required documents may include federal income tax forms, paycheck stubs or affidavits.
Self-employed individuals can provide evidence such as bank records or statements from clients or suppliers.
All DUA claims must be filed by March 10 unless the applicant has good cause for a late submission. Required documentation must be provided within 21 days of filing.
Newsom’s executive order also allows employers affected by the disaster to request a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes.
For more information on disaster recovery services, visit the EDD’s Disaster-Related Services webpage.
Additional resources for job seekers, including training programs and job-search assistance, can be found at local America’s Job Center of California locations.
To stay updated on active emergencies and available resources, visit ready.ca.gov.
The federal DUA program, administered by EDD on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor and FEMA, is a critical lifeline for individuals and families struggling to recover from the economic impacts of the wildfires and windstorms. State officials emphasize the importance of applying promptly to ensure timely assistance.
As Los Angeles County continues to recover, programs like DUA are essential in helping displaced workers and self-employed individuals regain stability and move forward.
