Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and regular unemployment benefits are now open for applications for Los Angeles County workers impacted by recent wildfires and vicious winds. This announcement is released by the Employment Development Department (EDD). The DUA is a specific benefit system available for individuals like the self-employed who cannot avail regular unemployment benefits due to losing work as a result of the disaster. The availability of these benefits stands following a Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4856-DR) issued on January 8, 2025. In view of the disaster, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency that waives the standard one-week waiting period for getting unemployment benefits and provides employers a 60-day extension period for payroll reports and tax deposits submission. DUA benefits would be administered to losses commencing from the week of January 12, 2025, and eligible workers could receive between $186 and $450 weekly for a maximum of 26 weeks, with July 12, 2025, earmarked as the final payable week. The benefits are open even for part-time workers, and claims may be backdated to January 12 considering specified eligibility criteria. It is noted that DUA benefit claims must be submitted not later than March 10, 2025, except for individuals with acceptiable reasons for a delayed application.

For more extensive information and how to contact EDD directly regarding your unemployment benefit claims, especially in disaster-related circumstances, a comprehensive guide can be found at www.eddcaller.com. Their resources aim to help individuals navigate through the process of communicating with the EDD to address their queries and concerns promptly and effectively. If you need help on how to get a hold of EDD, EDDCaller serves as a platform providing significant content that directly concerns unemployment benefits, procedures, and critical contact information.