Frequently Asked Questions about Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI). Last Updated 6/27/22

• In order to be eligible for DUA, individuals must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
  1. The individual is not eligible for regular UI;
  2. The individual is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster;
  3. The individual is able and available for work, unless injured as a direct result of the disaster;
  4. The individual filed an application for DUA within 30 days of the date of the public announcement of the availability of DUA; and
  5. The individual has not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.
     
     
• One of the following conditions of unemployment must have occurred as a direct result of the disaster to qualify:
  1. The individual has had a week of unemployment following the date the major disaster began;
  2. The individual is unable to reach his/her place of employment;
  3. The individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists or the individual was unable to reach the job;
  4. The individual became the breadwinner or major support because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster;
  5. The individual cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.

Last Updated 6/27/22

Residents of Carbon, Park, or Stillwater Counties

All claims must be filed by 08/04/2022.

Residents of Yellowstone County

All claims must be filed by 08/26/2022.

Applications for DUA can be filed via phone at (406) 444-3454.

Last Updated 7/28/22

The weekly benefit amount (WBA) will be based on your gross wages.  If you are self-employed, the weekly benefit amount will be based on the net earnings (income) from self employment. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $233, the maximum is $618. Last Updated 6/27/22

After filing a claim via phone, you can log into or create an account at MontanaWorks.Gov to update your mailing address if you wish to receive a check by mail or to enter your bank account information if you wish to receive funds via electronic funds transfer (EFT). Last Updated 7/1/22

The Montana DUA benefits are available for up to 27 weeks.

The first payable week is June 18, 2022.

The last payable week is December 17, 2022.

Residents of Carbon, Park, or Stillwater Counties must file by August 4th, 2022. Residents of Yellowstone County must file by August 26th, 2022.

You are no longer eligible for benefits if:

• You become employed
• You are no longer unemployed as a direct result of the disaster
• You refuse to accept suitable employment without good cause

Last Updated 7/28/22

Yes, benefits can be backdated to the Sunday of the week in which you became unemployed due to conditions caused by the flooding. Last Updated 6/27/22

Yes, DUA benefits are subject to income tax. You will receive a Form 1099-G to file with your next income tax return. Last Updated 6/27/22