Extended Deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in North Carolina
The state of North Carolina has extended the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) until January 7, 2025. This extension is applicable to residents in 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians affected by Hurricane Helene. For those impacted, applications for DUA can be submitted through the official website at des.nc.gov.
The Division of Employment Security (DES) sought and obtained approval from the U.S. Department of Labor on December 9 to extend this financial support for those displaced or affected by the hurricane. The aid is designed to assist individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of the storm, encompassing both employees and business owners.
Eligible Areas and Duration
Residents from the following counties can avail themselves of these benefits: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey. This also includes the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Those eligible can receive benefits for unemployment dating back to September 29, 2024, and lasting up to 26 weeks until March 29, 2025.
How to Apply for DUA
To qualify for DUA, individuals must initially apply for state unemployment benefits. If deemed ineligible for standard unemployment or if those benefits have been exhausted, they may then qualify for DUA.
Requirements for Application
- Name and address of all employers worked for in the past 24 months.
- County of residence and employment.
- Mailing address and ZIP code.
- A valid telephone number.
- Your Social Security number or Alien Registration number.
- Proof of employment and income for self-employed, farmers, or commercial fishers.
Applicants must provide all necessary documentation within 21 days of filing. If someone cannot access their tax documents due to the disaster, they may authorize the N.C. Department of Revenue to share their 2023 tax return with the Division of Employment Security.
For assistance, individuals can contact the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more detailed information, please visit des.nc.gov/dua.
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