Disaster Unemployment Assistance (97.034)

Program

97.034 Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 410, Public Law 93-288, as amended by Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 100-707, 42 U.S.C 5178; FEMA has delegated to the Secretary of Labor the responsibility of administering Section 410.

Program Number

97.034

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide special Federally-funded weekly benefits and re-employment assistance to workers and self-employed individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially-declared major disaster, and who are not eligible for any other State or Federal Regular Unemployment Insurance benefits paid by States.

Types of Assistance

DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED USE; PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES

Uses and Use Restrictions

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program (DUA) provides weekly benefits and re-employment assistance services to individuals unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially-declared major disaster that includes Individual Assistance. Funds are used for benefit payments to individuals and project administrative costs to States. DUA weekly benefits and re-employment assistance require proof of employment eligibility, proof of employment or self-employment to assist in determining a Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA). Aliens must prove they are "qualified aliens" (as determined by the Immigration and Naturalization Service) in order to be eligible to receive a federal public benefit.

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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

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 Administrator having jurisdiction over the State. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206. 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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The State Workforce Agency (SWA) performs a needs assessment relating to potential eligible individual applicants for DUA. The State forwards this assessment to the Regional Department of Labor Administrator, which provides its recommendation to FEMA.

Award Procedure

FEMA provides funding to the Department of Labor, which administers the DUA program on FEMA's behalf. Individual applicants for DUA assistance must apply through their local SWA.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

In general, individual applications are approved or denied within 1 to 2 weeks. Generally, applications for DUA must be filed within 30 days after the date of the SWA 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.

Appeals

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

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

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. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payment based on Project need.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The SWA submits reports when requesting additional funding and at the close of the DUA program. Closeout reports must include the SF 269a and a narrative. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Internal program audits are conducted.

Records

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

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0702-0-1-453.

Obligations

(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 08 $16,036,057; FY 09 est not reported.; FY 10 est not reported. - FY 2009: Estimate not available
FY 2010: Estimate not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

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

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.

Headquarters Office

Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance,
500 C Street, SW
, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3363)

Web Site Address

http://www.fema.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.