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Deadline today for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Ross Norton //December 28, 2022//

Deadline today for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Ross Norton //December 28, 2022//

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The deadline is today to apply for assistance if you lost your job as a result of Hurricane Ian in September.

The state Disaster Unemployment Assistance program makes funds available to assist people who became unemployed as a direct result of the Sept. 25 hurricane. It is also available to small business owners and the self-employed, including 1099 contract workers, who have lost personal income due to the disaster.

Residents of Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties who lost work or were unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Ian should go to the MyBenefits Portal in order to apply for the assistance. Applicants will be asked to submit information about their employment and other documentation to support the claim that they were working or self-employed when the hurricane occurred.

Workers or business owners in the eligible counties who meet the following criteria may be eligible to receive a minimum of $134 and up to a maximum of $326 per week in DUA benefits:

• 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 hurricane.

• Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the hurricane.

• 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.

The program is administered through the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

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