JUNEAU, Alaska — Workers within the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers affected by the Alaska spring flooding in May to June of 2023 may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). 
In response to a request for federal assistance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Kusilvak Census Area and Yupiit Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) affected by the flooding from May 12 to June 3, 2023, has officially been declared a disaster area.

Unemployed workers or self-employed individuals in the disaster area at the time of the disaster may qualify for DUA benefits if they do not qualify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and meet any of the following:

• Worked or was scheduled to begin work or self-employed in an area covered by the disaster declaration;
• Became unemployed or unable to work as a direct result of the disaster;
• Are unable to reach their place of employment or business as a direct result of the disaster;
• Cannot work due to an injury caused by the disaster; or
• Have become the major support of the household due to a death directly related to the disaster.

Applicants may be eligible for $144 to $370 per week for up to 41 weeks beginning the week of May 14, 2023. Applicants must first apply for regular UI benefits by calling (888) 252-2557 or (907) 269-4700, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unless you show good cause for not applying within the deadline, applications for DUA must be submitted no later than Dec. 6, 2023.

Applicants will need to provide their social security number, contact information for their most recent employer and dates worked. Workers and self-employed applicants who became unemployed as a direct result of the disaster should be prepared to provide documentation about their wages or self-employment earnings. Eligible earnings documentation would be the most recent federal tax records for tax year 2022, proof of employment prior to the disaster, or documents showing pending employment impacted by the disaster.

Reference: Amendment to FEMA-4730-DR issued on Aug. 23, 2023.

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