People who lost their jobs as a consequence of the wildfires that ravaged California this summer have an extended window to file for additional compensation.
The filing date for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) payments in six California counties has been extended by the US Department of Labor: Plumas, Lassen, Tehama, Placer, Nevada, and Trinity. They were supposed to expire on October 1, but now they may be extended until November 30, 2021.
Losses starting the week of July 18, 2021 are subject to DUA. Benefits for eligible full-time employees range from $147 to $450 per week for a maximum of 32 weeks, with the final week payable on February 26, 2022.
Who is eligible to participate?
Individuals who satisfy any of the following requirements in the six counties impacted are eligible for DUA benefits:
Worked or were a business owner or self-employed in the catastrophe region, or were planned to start work or self-employment there. This includes, but is not limited to, people working in agriculture and fisheries.
Because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct consequence of the catastrophe, you can’t go to work or can’t work or provide services.
Can demonstrate that the job or self-employment they are unable to do was their main source of revenue,
Because of an injury sustained as a direct consequence of the catastrophe, you are unable to work or engage in self-employment.
Because of a death caused by the catastrophe, they became the head of their homes.
Have sought for and utilized all normal unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and are still jobless as a consequence of the catastrophe.
What is the procedure for claiming the benefits?
The EDD’s UI Online application, which is accessible in both English and Spanish, is the fastest and simplest method for new claimants to apply for DUA. Local employment centers, Local Assistance Centers, and Disaster Recovery Centers may also help applicants.
Claimants may also apply for benefits by calling the following number between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week:
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- 1-800-300-5616 (in English)
- 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish)
- 1-800-547-3506 for Chinese (Cantonese)
- 1-866-303-0706 for Chinese (Mandarin)
- 1-800-547-2058 (Vietnamese)
All necessary paperwork must be provided within 21 days of the DUA application being filed in order to obtain DUA benefits. This contains the most recent tax return of the person.
Services Provided by EDD in the Event of a Disaster
More information for people and companies harmed by catastrophes may be found on the California Employment Development Department’s Disaster-Related Services website, which includes tax filing extensions for affected firms.
Individuals, families, and businesses are also encouraged to visit the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ wildfire recovery website for information on Local Relief Centers where they may receive disaster assistance programs and services.