Workers in Santa Cruz County impacted by the severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that started on Dec. 27, are eligible to file for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has determined that individuals who lost work or self-employment as a direct result of impacts caused by the severe storms are eligible to apply for federal DUA benefits. The FEMA approval is for FEMA designated disaster area 4683-DR.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance applies to losses beginning the week of Jan. 1. Eligible full-time workers can receive between $166 and $450 a week in benefits for a maximum of 28 weeks. Part-time workers may be eligible for benefits. The last payable week of this emergency benefit ends July 15.
Benefits are available to individuals who meet any of these 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 those in agricultural and fishing industries.
- Cannot reach work because of the disaster or can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
- Became the head of their household because of a death caused by the disaster.
Individuals must have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits, or do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and remain unemployed as a direct result of the disaster. Also, the work or self-employment they can no longer perform must have been their primary source of income.
Applications for benefits must be filed by applicants by Feb. 22.
All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the application is filed. Required documentation includes the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or other documentation to support that the individuals were 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.
EDD is required to check to see if the applicant is eligible for regular state provided Unemployment Insurance benefits before processing the claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits. The fastest way to apply is to use EDD’s online application at https://edd.ca.gov/ui_online, create an account and a password. This is available in both English and Spanish.
Applicants can get assistance at local job centers and the Disaster Recovery Centers in Capitola City Hall, Ramsay Park in Watsonville, and Felton library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton
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People can apply by phone between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays: English: 1-800-300-5616 • Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
Photo Credit: Zach Friend