DUA Hotline

English 919-629-3857    |     Spanish  919-276-5698

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday Noon - 4 p.m.

Remember: you must complete a weekly certification to get paid unemployment benefits, including DUA.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

October 8, 2024: The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that Mecklenburg and Swain counties have been approved for DUA. People from Mecklenburg and Swain counties must file an application for benefits by December 9, 2024.

 

October 1, 2024: Following a federal disaster declaration because of Hurricane Helene, DUA benefits are available in 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The counties are as follows, and more counties may be added to the list of those eligible for DUA at a later date: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The deadline to apply is December 2.

Latest News

October 11, 2024

October 8, 2024

October 1, 2024

What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

If your employment has been lost or interrupted because of a federally declared disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments for people who, as a direct result of a disaster:

  • No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.
  • Are unable to reach their place of employment.
  • Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.
  • Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm. 
  • Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.

Am I eligible for DUA?

People, including self-employed, or business owners may be eligible for DUA if:

  • You lived, worked or were scheduled to work in an area declared a disaster area by the President of the United States.
  • You lost employment or had your employment interrupted as a direct result of the disaster; and
  • You have exhausted or are not eligible for state unemployment benefits.

Eligibility for DUA is determined weekly. You must continue to be out of work as a direct result of the Hurricane Helene each week to get benefits.

What do I need to apply?

Name and address of all employers you worked with within the last 24 months.

  • County of residence.
  • County of employment.
  • Mailing address and zip code.
  • Valid telephone number.
  • Your Social Security number or your Alien Registration number.
  • Have proof of employment and income if you’re self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisher.

How do I apply?

The Division of Employment Security announces the counties in which DUA benefits are available and deadlines for applying when there is a federal disaster in North Carolina. The fastest way to file a claim is to file online at des.nc.gov. If you need help or don’t have access to a computer, you may file over the phone by calling the DUA hotline 919-629-3857.

  1. Go to des.nc.gov.
  2. Create a MyNCUIBenefits account. View more details:  https://www.des.nc.gov/create-online-account-english/download?attachment.  
  3. Sign in to file your claim.
  4. Click File a New Unemployment Insurance Claim. File for state unemployment benefits and DUA during the same claim process.
    1. If you are eligible for state benefits, you must exhaust those benefits before you can receive DUA.
    2. If you are not eligible for state benefits, DES will determine if you are eligible for DUA benefits.
  5. When filing for DUA, select A federally-declared disaster when asked to give a reason for unemployment.
  6. If you are self-employed, a farmer or a commercial fisher, you must provide proof of employment and income within 21 days of filing your claim.
  7. DES notifies you once your eligibility is determined.

Identity Verification

When you file for Disaster Unemployment Claim, you may be asked to verify your identity. This is a process in which you confirm you are who you say you are. This can be done online through ID.me or in person at a United States Postal Service location. Due to the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, some of the USPS locations are closed. See the list provided by the USPS for alternate and closed retail locations: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/residential/north-carolina.htm.

Do I need to do anything after I file a claim?

You must file a weekly certification each week. Your eligibility for DUA is determined weekly. You must complete a weekly certification and be unemployed for that week due to the disaster. If you don't complete a weekly certification on time, you will NOT get payment for the week. File your weekly certifications online through MyNCUIBenefits. If you cannot file online, call the DUA Hotline at either 919-629-3857 (English) or 919-276-5698 (Spanish). To file online:

  1. Sign in to your MyNCUIBenefits account.
  2. Go to the Action Required box and click on File Weekly Certification.