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Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

If you have worked for an employer covered by unemployment insurance you may be eligible for regular state unemployment benefits and do not need to file a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) claim at this time. You can file a regular state unemployment benefit claim with "disaster" in the comment section and if you are not eligible, we will send you the DUA forms. In order to qualify for DUA, you must show that you have filed for regular state unemployment insurance and been denied on that program. Once that denial has been issued, we are then free to begin processing your DUA claim. That denial will be printed on green paper.

Completing Your Claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The application for DUA requires different forms depending on the kind of work that you do.

The following forms are needed for every disaster claim if you are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits:

1. Initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits

• Everyone who wishes to apply for DUA must first file a regular claim for unemployment insurance benefits (UI); even if you know that you won't be eligible for that program.

• Unless you have been sent a determination of ineligibility on unemployment, you should follow the reporting instructions for UI claims.

2. Initial Application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (ETA 81)

• There is an instruction sheet attached to this form. Please be sure that you have completed this form in its entirety, as that will help to prevent processing delays.

3. Continued Request for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA Form 107)

• This form is used to request payments for the weeks that you are unemployed.

• Once it is determined that you will be eligible for DUA, additional forms will be sent to you to allow you to claim weekly benefits.

4. You will need to send in a complete copy of your Federal tax return for the 2007 tax year, including all schedules you submitted. We need this information in order to process your disaster claim.

Specialized Forms

All self-employed individuals (including farmers)

Supplemental to Application for DUA Self-Employed Individuals (ET 81A)

• This has an attached instruction sheet. Again, fill out this form including as much detail as you can provide.

Special Forms for Farmers

ETA 81A and

Supplemental Application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for Unemployed Self-Employed Agricultural Individuals (DUA Form 3)

Follow the attached instructions, and complete the form with as much detail as you can provide. This would include land that you own or rent.

Migrant/Seasonal Agricultural Workers Supplemental Application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for Migrant/Seasonal Agricultural Workers (DUA Form 2)

If you are employed as a migrant or seasonal agricultural employee, you will need to complete this form.

Verification of Prospective Employment

This form is to be used if you had a job or work lined up and were unable to begin the employment due to the disaster.

Affidavit of Earnings from Self-Employed Individuals Who Have No Federal Income Tax Return (DUA Form 1)

This form should be used only if you are unable to obtain your Federal tax forms for the 2007 tax year. We will need you to contact the IRS for assistance in getting a copy of your Federal return in order to complete the processing of your DUA claim.

DUA Forms:

INITIAL APPLICATION FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE & INSTRUCTIONS ETA 81

VERIFICATION OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT & INSTRUCTIONS

SUPPLEMENTAL TO APPLICATION FOR DUA SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS ETA 81A & INSTRUCTIONS

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA) FOR UNEMPLOYED SELF-EMPLOYED AGRICULTURAL INDIVIDUALS & INSTRUCTIONS

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA) FOR MIGRANT/SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS (DUA FORM 2)

AFFIDAVIT OF EARNINGS FROM SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN

CONTINUED REQUEST FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

DUA “GOOD CAUSE”

If you download the DUA forms, complete, and mail the DUA forms to Workforce (at the address below), please indicate in the comment section of the regular unemployment insurance application:  "Mailed in DUA forms." 

Iowa Workforce Development
Attn: DUA
P.O. Box 10332
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-0332

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Unemployment Insurance Claims Help
E-mail: uiclaimshelp@iwd.state.ia.us

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A guide to assistance for individuals unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster.

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program is under the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Labor in cooperation with Iowa Workforce Development.

What Does the Program Provide?

DUA benefits are payable from the start of the disaster. Benefit payments are calculated by using your gross wages in the most recently completed tax year. If you were self-employed, the computation would use your wage income, if any, plus your net income shown on your income tax forms.

The minimum DUA weekly payment for self-employed workers is 50 percent of the average weekly payment of regular unemployment insurance in Iowa. For instance, if you are an unemployed self-employed worker who had low net income on your income tax forms for the most recently completed tax year, you would receive the minimum DUA weekly payment. A higher weekly payment may occur depending on your net business income. Iowa’s formula for regular unemployment insurance determines the weekly benefit amount. You must submit proof to substantiate your self-employed status, such as business records, bank statements, etc. A copy of the income tax form is required to issue a final DUA determination of the weekly benefit amount.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

If you are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster, or if you were going to be employed in the disaster area at the time the disaster began, and your principal source of income and livelihood is dependent upon work that was affected by the disaster, then you may be eligible.

If you are eligible for or are currently receiving regular unemployment insurance benefit payments, then you are not also eligible for a DUA claim.

If you have been injured as a direct result of the disaster and cannot work, or if you have become the major support of your household because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster, then you may be eligible for benefits.

How Do I Claim Benefits?

Once your DUA claim is established, it is very easy to claim a week of benefits. Each week complete and submit one of the Weekly Request for Disaster Unemployment Assistance forms, Form ETA 83.

What Are the Restrictions?

Benefits will end if you return to suitable work, or if you refuse a bona fide offer of suitable work, or refuse to accept a referral to suitable employment without good cause.

Since your eligibility is determined on a week-to-week basis, your unemployed status must continue to be a direct result of the disaster in order to continue to receive DUA benefits. If you are only partially employed and work for wages, you must report your gross wages. This is the same as individuals receiving regular unemployment insurance. Once your unemployment is no longer attributable to the disaster, your DUA entitlement ends.

If you are self-employed, you are no longer eligible for DUA as soon as you are able to resume your normal self-employment work activities. However, if your self-employment activity is still substantially reduced, you may continue to receive DUA benefits. You must report your gross earnings from self-employment when actually paid. For example, you report you performed self-employment work during the week you perform the work, but report zero earnings unless you are actually paid during that week.

For some occupations there are seasonal limitations to the periods for which DUA is paid. DUA may only be paid to seasonal workers for those weeks they would have been employed in the season. 

Questions?

Contact your local Workforce Development Center if you have any questions about the DUA program. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any problems completing the forms or providing needed information and records. 

 

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