Gov. Haley secures Disaster Unemployment Assistance
October 6, 2015
COLUMBIA , SC – Gov. Nikki Haley and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce announced today that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will be made available to assist people who became unemployed as a direct result of last weekend’s storm and ensuing floods.
The counties are included in the DUA program are Charleston, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Williamsburg. Other counties may be added at a later date.
DEW Executive Director Cheryl Stanton said South Carolina workers may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the DUA program.
Workers or business owners meeting the following criteria may be eligible for 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 disaster.
- Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
- 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.
There is not a week waiting period to file for benefits.
A dedicated telephone line will be set up to assist people with applying. Please check www.dew.sc.gov for updates on this program. The deadline for applying is 30 days from the date DEW starts taking claims.
About SCDEW
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency invests in building a pipeline of quality workers, matches workers with jobs, and is a bridge for individuals who find themselves out of work for no fault of their own. This promotes financial stability and economic prosperity for employers, individuals and communities. SCDEW is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services that meet the needs of the state’s businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.
