Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
If your employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the tornado that occurred on March 31, 2023, this information applies to you. Before applying for DUA, you must apply for traditional unemployment insurance. File your initial unemployment claim at https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov.
What is DUA?
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). “Direct result” means loss of employment or self-employment because of the major disaster and not the result of a long chain of events caused or worsened by the disaster. ADWS will check to see if individuals are eligible for regular UI benefits before finding them eligible for DUA. If individuals are eligible for regular UI benefits, they will receive those benefits instead of DUA.
The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the DUA program and coordinates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security. DUA is administered by ADWS acting as agents of the federal government whenever a disaster declaration for “individual assistance including DUA” is made.
Qualifying for DUA
One of the following conditions of unemployment must have occurred as a direct result of the disaster to qualify for DUA:
- The individual has had a week of unemployment following the date the major disaster began;
- The individual is unable to reach his/her place of employment;
- The individual was scheduled to start work, and the job no longer exists, or the individual was unable to reach the job;
- The individual became the breadwinner or major support because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster; or
- The individual cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals who meet one of the qualifying conditions above must also meet all the following eligibility requirements to be eligible for DUA:
- The individual is not eligible for regular UI;
- The individual is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster;
- The individual is able and available for work unless injured as a direct result of the disaster;
- The individual applied for DUA within 30 days of the date of the public announcement of the availability of DUA; and
- The individual has not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.
How to File for DUA
When: Applications for DUA must be filed by May 4, 2023. Individuals must apply for traditional unemployment insurance before, or at the same time as, they apply for DUA.
Where: Online or at an Arkansas Workforce Center (locations below).
How: Unemployed individuals (who lost traditional employment or self-employment) as a direct result of the disaster should take the following steps to file for DUA:
Step 1
Apply for Unemployment Insurance Online – Before applying for DUA, you must apply for traditional unemployment insurance. File a UI claim online at https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov and select “Laid off – Weather” as the reason for separation.
Step 2
Apply for DUA
You can apply for DUA online at the link below. You may also pick up paper forms at one of the Workforce Centers (scroll down on this page for Workforce Center locations). Applications for DUA must be filed by May 4, 2023.
DUA Application – Print Version
**If you are self-employed, you must also complete the form “Supplement Self-Employed.”
Supplement Self-Employed DUA Form – Online
Supplement Self-Employed DUA Form – Print Version
Email printed forms to ADWS.DUA@arkansas.gov.
Step 3
You must provide proof of employment. Email the following to DWS at ADWS.DUA@arkansas.gov:
- A copy of your ID for identity verification.
- Proof of your employment or self-employment. (Proof of income.) If you currently do not have proof that you were employed or self-employed, you will have 21 days from the date you file your DUA application to provide proof.
If you cannot email your forms, you may drop them off or mail them to one of the below Workforce Centers.
Note: All future correspondence will be sent to the email or mailing address provided on your forms.
Workforce Centers
Little Rock
5401 S. University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72209
P.O. Box 4970 72214-4970
Benton
400 Edison Ave.
Benton, AR 72015-4313
P.O. Box 2470 72018-2470
Conway
1500 N. Museum Rd. #111
Conway, AR 72032
P.O. Box 189
Jonesboro
2311 E. Nettleton Ave.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
P.O. Box 16127
Searcy
501 W. Arch Ave.
Searcy, AR 72143
P.O. Box 248
Forrest City
300 Eldridge Road, Ste 2
Forrest City, AR 72335
P.O. Box 1987
West Memphis
2003 W. Broadway
West Memphis, AR 72301
P.O. Box 1928
Press Release: Filing Period for Disaster Unemployment Assistance to Close May 4, 2023
COMUNICADO DE PRENSA- El Periodo de Aplicación para DUA cerrará el 4 de Mayo
