Disaster unemployment assistance available after Hurricane Milton
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Commerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) , is now available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted by Hurricane Milton.
DUA is available to those who are ineligible to receive federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits and the individual meets one of the following requirements:
Is unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster;
Was scheduled to start employment but was unable to as a direct result of the major disaster;
Is unable to reach their job or self-employment location because the individual has to travel through an affected area and is prevented from doing so as a direct result of the major disaster;
Has become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result of the major disaster; or
Is unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of the major disaster.
The 36 counties that the Florida Commerce is accepting applications from are: Brevard, Charlotte, , Clay, Collier, , Duval, Flagler, Glades, , Hendry, , Indian River, Lake, Lee, , Marion, Martin, Miccosukee Indian Reservation, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, , Polk, Putnam, , Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.
Coastal counties from Citrus to Sarasota had an overwhelming amount of storm surge during Helene and Milton. And due to that, businesses in the Tampa Bay area not only saw the negative effects of water damage but sand as well.
"I think the sand was totally unexpected, I've never seen anything like that," Erica Silk said.
Silk, with the Sarasota Economic Development Corporation (EDC), shared that 70 businesses have reported damage totaling $20 million to $25 million, with many concerned about their workforce.
"I am in awe of the businesses that have rolled up their sleeves, put on their boots, got to work, cleaning out water, cleaning out sand, cleaning tables and have gotten open so quickly," Silk said. "Some of our restaurants have opened with limited menus but have made do with what they have and their reliance has just shinned through."
For the ones that haven't opened yet and for the employees still in fear of their jobs, Silk adds that the EDC will be out on the ground touring local businesses in Sarasota next week to aid in any recovery efforts.
Whether someone is a business owner, an employee, or resident whose workforce was impacted by the storm, there are resources to help below.
RESOURCES:
Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Milton are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org .
To file a claim, go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim", visit a local CareerSource Career Center , or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
