Disaster unemployment available for communities impacted by March 14 tornadoes

Video of related coverage on tornado relief efforts

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Following the president’s disaster declaration on Thursday, May 2, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for some Ohioans.

Eligible individuals impacted by the devastating March 14 tornadoes in Auglaize, Crawford, Drake, Delaware, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, and Union counties can now submit an application to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

Eligibility for the Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-DR 4777 includes:

• Must be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was caused as a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President; and
• Must be a U.S. national or a qualified alien; and
• Must not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state; and
• Must have worked or were self-employed in, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above; and
• Must establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income
• Also eligible to apply for DUA are individuals who
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household; or,
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to the closure of a facility by the federal government

Social Security Number and the name and address of the last employer or prospective employer are required to file for DUA.

Applicants must provide proof (at the time of filing or within 21 days of filing their DUA claim) that they were employed or self-employed at the time the disaster occurred or were scheduled to begin (or resume) a job or self-employment when the disaster occurred.

A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required (self-employed individuals should also provide their Schedule SE and Schedule C or Schedule F).

Individuals can generally receive up to 26 weeks of DUA benefits as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Eligibility for DUA benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

Individuals eligible for assistance must file a claim by calling 1-877-644-6562 by July 2, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.