The President of the United States on October 5, 2018, signed into law the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018. This act extended the duration of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for an additional 26 weeks for eligible individuals unemployed as a direct result of the major disasters that were declared due to hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a press release from the Office of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
Hurricane Irma was declared for the U.S. Virgin Islands on Sept. 7, 2017. Therefore, persons who were directly affected by Hurricane Irma may be eligible if they remained unemployed between March 11, 2018, to Sept. 7, 2018, due to Hurricane Irma.
Hurricane Maria was declared for the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 20, 2017. Therefore, persons who were directly affected by Hurricane Maria may be eligible if they remained unemployed between March 25, 2018 to September 18, 2018, due to Hurricane Maria.
In collaboration with the Office of the Governor, Commissioner of Labor Nominee Gary Molloy, informs all residents of the territory who became unemployed as a direct result of hurricanes Irma and or Maria and remained unemployed, that they will now be able to take advantage of the extended disaster assistance period if all eligibility requirements are met. Once a claimant returns to work, eligibility to the DUA benefits may end.
Eligibility is based on the following criteria:
1) Individuals who have exhausted DUA claims and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster.
2) Individuals who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance claims and extended benefits claims and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster, even if they did not apply for DUA during the original Disaster Assistance Period.
3) Individuals who had a lapse in continued claim filings and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster if the reason for the lapse is not disqualifying (e.g., the lapse didn’t result from the individual returning to suitable work).
4) Individuals who have never applied for DUA (for reasons other than collecting regular unemployment insurance benefits or extended benefits during the original disaster assistance period) if they can show good cause for the late filings.
The Virgin Islands Unemployment Insurance Agency notifies the public that a registration package and notice of eligibility will be mailed out beginning March 25, 2019, to relative claimants who may qualify for the extended Disaster Assistance benefits. Individuals who receive a package must complete the application and return it to the Unemployment Insurance Office along with all supporting documents requested. Once the application is processed, the individual will receive an appointment date. Walk-ins and new applications will be accepted, and they will be reviewed before processing to determine eligibility.
For St. Thomas and St. Croix claimants, unemployment insurance representatives will be available at normal locations: 2353 Kronprindsens Gade, St. Thomas, and 4401 Sion Farm Ste. 1, St. Croix, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. For St. John claimants, an unemployment insurance representative will be available in Cruz Bay at the St. John Battery from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday and Wednesday.
Applicants no longer residing in U.S.V.I. will receive an application by mail; if no application is received, claimants may call 715-5712. Information is also available on the department’s website at www.vidol.gov
The labor commissioner advises that eligible individuals will have until May 24 to file an initial application and continued claim certifications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
