Nebraska tornadoes: Unemployment assistance available to storm victims

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - As part of President Biden’s approval of the federal emergency declaration for Nebraska last week, the Nebraska Department of Labor is opening applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

DUA applications are open online to those in Washington and Douglas counties whose employment or self-employment ended or was interrupted due to the April 26 tornado outbreak. Applicants must start by filing for regular unemployment insurance benefits and will need to provide documentation to verify wages.

NDOL’s commissioner said even if an applicant doesn’t qualify for DUA benefits, the department’s job centers have resources and services available to them.

To be eligible for DUA assistance under the disaster declaration, applicants must be an unemployed/self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was caused as a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President; must be a U.S. citizen; must not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state; must have worked or were scheduled to begin work in Douglas or Washington counties; and must establish the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

Additionally, those unable to work because of physical damage or destruction to the workplace as a direct result of the disaster, injury sustained as a result; became the breadwinner of a household because the head of household died; or cannot work due to a facility closure by the federal government.

TORNADO RECOVERY

Where to dispose of debris from recent storms

Several debris collection sites are available in Douglas and Washington counties.

How to help — and find help

Here are ways you can assist those in Nebraska and Iowa who are recovering from tornadoes that hit on Friday, April 26.

To apply, impacted individuals will need their Social Security Number and name and address of their last employer or prospective employer. Applicants must provide proof either at the time of filing or within 21 days that they were employed or self-employed/scheduled to begin employment when the disaster occurred. A copy of the most recent federal tax forms or check stubs may also be required.

Applications for DUA must be filed by July 2; those filed after that date will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause. Generally, individuals may receive up to 26 weeks of DUA benefits as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Eligibility for those benefits will be determined week-to-week.

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