Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for individuals impacted by the Marshall Fire in Boulder County. The first step for any individuals looking to qualify for this assistance is to file a standard unemployment insurance claim through MyUI+. If you are determined to be ineligible for standard benefits, the system will provide an application for Disaster UI Benefits. The link to apply for disaster benefits will show up the day after you file your standard unemployment insurance claim.
You can also file a claim by phone. Simply dial (303) 318-9000 and and follow the voice prompts for customers impacted by the Marshall Fires.
If you need in-person assistance, dedicated appointments for in-person assistance at the Unemployment Insurance office at 251 E. 12th Avenue in Denver can be made by phone.
When filing a claim in person, self-employed individuals should bring a copy of their 2020 income tax return. All applicants filing for disaster benefits need to supply photo identification, a bill showing your physical address at the time of the disaster, and current mailing address confirmation if changed.
The deadline to apply for DUA benefits is Feb. 2, 2022.
Who is eligible for DUA?
Those who became unemployed, or those who are self-employed and had work interrupted, in Boulder County as a direct result of the Marshall Fire on Dec. 30-31 may be eligible to apply for DUA benefits.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for traditional unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law.
Farmers and other self-employed individuals who are traditionally ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.
Per federal law, to be eligible for DUA, individuals must:
- Provide proof of identity
- Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
- File an application for DUA with local unemployment insurance agency within 30 days of the date of the public announcement of availability of DUA
- Name and address of their last place of employment;
- Documents verifying employment for the tax year that ended prior to the individual's unemployment as a result of the disaster;
- Not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance
- Be unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster
- Be able and available for work, unless injured as a direct result of the disaster (see conditions below)
- Have not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position
In addition to individuals who lost their jobs directly due to the disaster, individuals eligible for DUA may also include:
- 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
- Individuals who became the breadwinner or major support for a household because of the death of the head of household due to the disaster, or individuals who cannot work or perform services in self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster
Your unemployment is considered to be a direct result of the disaster if your unemployment resulted from:
- The physical damage or destruction of your place of employment
- The physical inaccessibility of your place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster
- Lack of work, or loss of revenues, if, prior to the disaster, your employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed in the disaster or an entity in the major disaster area closed by the federal, state, or local government
What documents do I need to provide?
In addition to documents proving your identity, you must provide proof of employment within 21 days from the day you file your claim. If proof of employment is not provided within 21 days from the day you file your claim, your DUA claim will be denied and you will not be paid DUA benefits.
Proof of employment can include but is not limited to:
- Payroll voucher closest in date to the last work week;
- Employment and earnings statement from the employer with the name, address, and contact information;
- Written statement from the employer;
- Notarized affidavit from your employer with the name, address, and contact information of who can verify your employment and unemployment (for workers who are unable to reach their employer);
- Business records (bank statement, business receipts, licenses, advertisements, invoices, appointment books, financial statements);
- Notarized statement from the claimant with the name, address, and contact information of who can verify the self-employment.
- Letters offering employment that was impacted due to the disaster with the name, address, and contact information of who can verify the job offer and start date.
You may provide proof of income in order to increase your weekly benefit amount. If proof of income is not provided within 21 days from the day you filed your claim, your weekly benefit amount will be $189.00, the Colorado DUA minimum.
Proof of income includes your 2020 or 2021 federal tax documents. If self-employed, all tax forms associated with that self-employment must be submitted (i.e. Schedule 1, Schedule C, etc.)
Even if you are unable to submit proof of income, you must submit proof of employment that proves you were working or were scheduled to begin work that was impacted by the disaster. If proof of employment is not provided within 21 days from the day you filed your claim, your DUA claim will be denied and you will not be paid DUA Benefits.