Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for eligible individuals in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties. These areas were impacted by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in July. The assistance follows a major disaster declaration issued by President Biden on September 20, 2024. DUA benefits are federally funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“IDES is grateful that federal disaster relief, including the availability of DUA benefits, has been authorized for individuals impacted by the severe storms and flooding during the summer,” said IDES Director Ray Marchiori. “The Department is ready to provide assistance to those affected and bring relief to the area’s residents.”

Applications for DUA benefits are now being accepted from individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the flooding. Claimants can receive up to 35 weeks of DUA benefits as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Eligibility will be determined on a week-to-week basis and applications must be filed by October 27, 2024.

To file a claim for DUA benefits, individuals should contact the IDES call center appointment line at 217-558-0401 and specify they are calling about DUA Benefits for Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties. Alternatively, appointments can be scheduled at local offices by calling 217-558-040.

Claimants must first apply for and be found ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits before applying for DUA benefits. IDES will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility and payments.

Eligibility criteria include being an unemployed or self-employed worker whose unemployment was caused directly by the declared major disaster; being a U.S. national or qualified citizen; not qualifying for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state; having worked or been scheduled to work in one of the affected counties; and establishing that their primary source of income was disrupted due to the disaster.

Additional eligibility may extend to those who can no longer work due to physical damage or destruction of their place of employment caused by the disaster; cannot perform work due to injury from the disaster; became sole earners because of death in their household; or cannot work due to federal government closure of facilities.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security provides various employment services including job fairs and resources like IllinoisJobLink.com. It also analyzes labor market information and administers unemployment insurance programs. For more information on services provided by IDES and latest news concerning the department visit IDES.Illinois.gov.