Mecklenburg and Swain Counties Approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance Following Hurricane Helene

In the wake of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, the Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that Mecklenburg and Swain counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This approval comes as a relief to many residents who have been struggling to recover from the storm’s aftermath. These counties join 25 other North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that were previously eligible for DUA.

Understanding Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

DUA is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals who have lost their jobs or are unable to work due to a major disaster. This program is crucial for those who do not qualify for regular state unemployment benefits. The recent inclusion of Mecklenburg and Swain counties means that more North Carolinians will have access to the support they need during this challenging time.

Eligibility Criteria for DUA

To qualify for DUA, individuals must meet specific criteria. These include:

No longer having the job that provided their primary source of income.
Being unable to reach their place of employment.
Being unable to work due to an injury caused by the storm.
Being unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm.
Becoming the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier.

Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by Hurricane Helene may also be eligible for benefits. It’s important to note that DUA is entirely funded by the federal government, and applicants must first file for state unemployment benefits. If they are determined to be ineligible for state benefits or have exhausted their state benefits, they may then be eligible for a DUA claim.

Application Process

Residents of Mecklenburg and Swain counties who are unable to continue working as a direct result of Hurricane Helene must file an application for benefits by December 9, 2024. The application process requires several pieces of information, including:

Name and address of all employers worked with within the last 24 months.
County of residence and employment.
Mailing address and zip code.
Valid telephone number.
Social Security number or Alien Registration number.
Proof of employment and income if self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisher.

All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. DES will work with individuals who cannot provide all documentation to ensure that their unemployment benefits are not delayed.

Duration and Availability of Benefits

DUA benefits are available for weeks of unemployment beginning with the week of September 29, 2024, and may last for up to 26 weeks, ending on March 29, 2025. Eligibility for DUA is determined weekly, and individuals must continue to be out of work as a direct result of the disaster each week to receive benefits.

Claims can be filed through the DES website at des.nc.gov. For those unable to file online, the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857 is available to assist with applications.

Counties Eligible for DUA

With the addition of Mecklenburg and Swain counties, DUA benefits are now available for residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Additional counties may be added to the list of those eligible for DUA at a later date.

For more information and an updated list of approved counties, visit the DES website at des.nc.gov/dua.

Denis Davis