Lee Lilley, Secretary of Commerce | North Carolina Department of Commerce
Lee Lilley, Secretary of Commerce | North Carolina Department of Commerce
There are only a few days left for residents of 39 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The deadline to submit applications is March 10.
Hurricane Helene, which hit Western North Carolina in late September 2024, has resulted in approximately 19,680 survivors receiving $81,175,356 in disaster-related unemployment benefits. This figure exceeds the combined number of beneficiaries from Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Florence (2018), and Fred (2021).
Assistant Secretary M. Antwon Keith stated, “We are committed to providing financial assistance to help people rebuild following the devastation that Hurricane Helene left our neighbors in Western North Carolina.” He added that late applications would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Division of Employment Security.
Residents from counties including 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 may qualify for DUA if they have been unemployed due to Hurricane Helene. Business owners affected by the storm may also be eligible. Applications can be filed online at des.nc.gov.
DUA is available for unemployment weeks starting from September 29 2024 and can last up to 26 weeks until March 29 2025. Eligibility is determined weekly based on continued unemployment directly resulting from the disaster.
Applicants must first apply for state unemployment benefits. If found ineligible or after exhausting regular benefits they may qualify for DUA. Necessary information includes employer details residence county employment county mailing address phone number Social Security number or Alien Registration number proof of employment and income if self-employed.
Proof of employment at the time of the disaster must be submitted within 21 days of filing a DUA claim. Those seeking self-employment income consideration should provide proof from 2023 such as business ledgers bank statements or tax returns. The N.C Department of Revenue can assist with providing tax returns.
For assistance call the dedicated DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or visit des.nc.gov/dua for more information.
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