Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available in Three West Virginia Counties; Claims Due December 7
Governor Patrick Morrisey and WorkForce West Virginia announced on October 16 that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to qualifying individuals who live or work in Fayette, Harrison and Kanawha counties and were affected by the severe storms and flooding of August 14–18, 2026. The assistance follows the federal Major Disaster Declaration approved on October 7, 2026 (DR-4953).
Individuals who lost their jobs or had their work interrupted as a direct result of the storms and flooding may qualify, and eligible self-employed workers, including farmers — who are typically not covered by regular state unemployment insurance — may also apply. Those who became a household's breadwinner because of a disaster-caused death of the head of household, who were scheduled to start work but were prevented by the disaster, or who cannot work because of a disaster-caused injury may also be eligible. The deadline to file a claim is December 7, 2026, and applicants must provide proof of past earnings, such as business records, bank statements or recent tax forms, no later than 21 days after filing. Acting WorkForce West Virginia Commissioner Scott Adkins said eligibility is determined week to week, with the last payable week ending April 10, 2027, as long as the unemployment continues as a direct result of the disaster.
Morrisey said the state's commitment to West Virginia families does not end when the floodwaters recede, and that the state is working with federal, state and local partners to make sure those affected have the resources they need to recover. Affected residents can contact WorkForce West Virginia by email at [email protected] or by calling 304-558-3340 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; the agency also provides re-employment services including resume assistance, job search support and placement services.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于查尔斯顿的西弗吉尼亚州议会大厦。图片来源：Daniel G Rego／Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0。Photo: The West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston. Image: Daniel G Rego / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
