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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

83.541:  Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Popular Name:  DUA

Objectives:  To provide Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) weekly benefits to help individuals who are left jobless in the wake of a Federally-declared major disaster, and are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

83.541 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Disaster victims who have experienced direct loss of employment as a result of a Presidentially-declared major disaster designated for DUA.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Eligible disaster victims in designated major disaster areas.

Credentials/Documentation:  FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations 44 CFR Part 206.141 and the DOL Regulations at 20 CFR Part 625.

83.541 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  The State Governor makes a request for a Presidential declaration of a major disaster through the appropriate FEMA Regional Director having jurisdiction over the State. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or officials designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  Upon declaration of a major disaster declaration designated for DUA, applicants may make application with their local State Employment Security Agency (SESA).

Award Procedure:  Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund and FEMA transfers funding to DOL for use in designated major disaster areas declared for DUA.

Deadlines:  Generally, applications for DUA must be filed within 30 days after the date of the SESA announcement regarding availability of DUA. When applicants have good cause, they may file claims after the 30-day deadline. However, no initial application will be considered if filed after the 26th week following the declaration date.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Normally, within 1 to 2 weeks.

Appeals:  Appeals must be filed in accordance with DOL Regulation 20 CFR Part 625.

Renewals:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Not available.

83.541 RELATED PROGRAMS:

83.541 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

83.541 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  RESPONSE AND RECOVERY DIRECTORATE, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments for Specified Use; Provision of Specialized Services.

Obligations:  (Direct Payments/Services) Not separately identifiable.

Budget Account Number:  58-0104-0-1-453.

Authorization:  Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 410, Public Law 93-288, as amended, Public Law 100-707.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  FEMA Regulations at 44 CFR 206.8, 44 CFR 206.141, and DOL Regulations at 20 CFR Part 625.

83.541 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.

Headquarters Office:  Laurence Zensinger, Director, Human Services Division, Response and Recovery Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472. Phone: (202) 646-3685.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

83.541 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  DUA may be paid from the period beginning with the first week (as defined in State law) following the date the major disaster began, and extending up through, but no longer than, the 26th week following the Presidential major disaster declaration date.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Payment of DUA weekly benefits and reemployment assistance services to individuals unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially-declared major disaster. Funds are used for benefit payments to individuals, project administrative costs to States, oversight payments to Department of Labor (DOL), and technical assistance. DUA weekly benefits and reemployment assistance require proof of employment eligibility, proof of earnings and/or wages to assist in determining a Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), and eligibility under the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, Title IV, to receive a federal public benefit.

83.541 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Progress status reports are required.

Audits:  Internal program audits are conducted.

Records:  Record retention in accordance with DOL Regulation 20 CFR Part 625.