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RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY, MARYLAND
FEDERAL DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUNDS
On January 7, 2013 the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, Division of Unemployment Insurance
received notification that Individual Assistance, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now
authorized for Somerset County under the declaration of major disaster approved by President Barack Obama on
November 20, 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
Individuals who were living or working in the affected area at the time of the major disaster and who
became unemployed as a direct result of the disaster may be eligible for the benefit unless eligibility
for regular unemployment insurance benefits exists. This includes unemployed self-employed individuals. In
addition to individuals who lost their jobs directly due to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, those eligible
may also include: (1)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; (2) individuals who were to
commence employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster; (3) 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 (4) individuals who cannot work or perform services in self-employment because of an injury caused as a
direct result of the disaster.
Unemployment is considered a direct result of the disaster if it resulted from: (1) the physical damage or
destruction of the place of employment; (2) the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its
closure by the federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or (3) lack of work,
or loss of revenues, if, prior to the disaster, the 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 closed by the federal, state, or local government.
New claims for DUA must be filed no later than February 9, 2013. Representatives from the Division of
Unemployment Insurance will be available to take claims from affected individuals on January 17, 2013 at
the FEMA Disaster Relief Center at 2 Mill Rd in Crisfield, MD between the hours of 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If
unable to file at the Crisfield location, claims for DUA can also be filed by calling 410-767-3252 Monday -
Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Individuals applying for DUA will need to provide proof of
past earnings, such as business records or bank statements and their most recent income tax form.
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