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Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Have you lost work as a result of the tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding across Michigan between April 10 and April 21? If you are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. 

What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally funded program under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides unemployment benefits to those affected by a federally declared disaster as long as the individual does not qualify for regular state unemployment insurance and the individual is unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of the disaster.

Individuals could receive up to 38 weeks of benefits if they lost their job or were temporarily unemployed due to April 10-21 severe weather incidents, with all benefits ending Jan. 2, 2027. Eligibility will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

 

Applications closed August 29, 2026.

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Apply for regular unemployment insurance benefits in Michigan.
  • Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state.
  • Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the president.
  • Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien.
  • Worked or was self-employed or was scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area affected by the disaster.
  • Establish that the work or self-employment that can no longer be performed was a primary source of income.
 

Applicants must also meet one or more of these criteria:

  • Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment due to the disaster.
  • Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused by the disaster.
  • Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household as a direct result of this disaster.
  • Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government as a direct result of this disaster.
  • Was to begin work and no longer has a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the disaster. 

You may qualify if your employment was affected in one or more of these ways but you have now returned to work.

 

All applicants must first apply for regular unemployment benefits before being considered for disaster assistance. Individuals will not receive disaster unemployment benefits if they are eligible for regular benefits during this disaster.

  1. Apply for regular unemployment insurance
    • File as soon as possible by applying online through the MiWAM portal.
  2. Request Disaster Unemployment Assistance

    Unemployment Insurance Agency
    P.O. Box 169
    Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169

    • If you are unable to download and print the application, stop into a UIA Local Office for assistance (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, no appointment needed). Find your nearest Local Office at Michigan.gov/UIA. You may also get help printing the application at your local Michigan Works! office or public library.
  3. Submit documentation
    • You must provide proof of your employment, self-employment, or work that was scheduled to begin (or resume) when the disaster occurred.
    • Proof of employment can be submitted at the time of filing or within 21 days of filing a claim. If proof of employment is not provided, the claim will be denied and you will not receive benefits. A copy of your most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required. Self-employed individuals should also provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F.

 

Applications closed August 29, 2026.

Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA DR-4925-MI may apply to workers in the following counties:

Alcona | Allegan | Alpena | Antrim | Barry | Benzie

Charlevoix | Cheboygan | Crawford | Emmet | Grand Traverse | Gratiot

Iosco | Kalamazoo | Kalkaska | Manistee | Mecosta

Montcalm | Muskegon | Newaygo | Oceana | Osceola

Presque Isle | Roscommon | Saginaw | Washtenaw | Wexford

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