Deadlines Approach for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Deadlines to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) are nearing for 21 of the 24 counties that have been declared eligible for individual assistance by FEMA.

Those 21 counties have deadlines next week. They are Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.

“We encourage anyone who has lost wages, due to the direct result of the storm, to apply for assistance,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). “Regardless if you are an employee, self-employed or the owner of a small business, this program is designed for you.”

One or more the following criteria must be met to qualify for this program:

• Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster, and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
• Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
• Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury of the previous major supplier of household income.
• Individuals who are unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
• Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster.

Applicants can file immediately at mybenefits.dew.sc.gov/. Please check www.dew.sc.gov for updates on this program. Applicants have 30 days from the time it was announced that the county was declared a disaster to file a claim under this program.