Assistance available for eligible employees who lost their jobs due to storms

Governor Mike Braun announced today that assistance is now available for eligible employees who lost their jobs or had them interrupted by severe weather earlier this month and who live in the 21 counties approved for individual assistance through FEMA. This is another resource made available by the major disaster declaration, which was approved by President Donald Trump on Aug. 25, and opens up millions of dollars in resources.

“I am mobilizing every local, state and federal resource to help Hoosiers get back on their feet," said Gov. Braun. "If these storms cost you your job or are keeping you from being able to work, you shouldn't have to wonder how you're going to put food on the table or keep a roof over your family's head. This is exactly why I pushed for an expedited major disaster declaration; to get more help into the hands of Hoosiers as quickly as possible. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is another resource now available to help families bridge the gap as they recover.”

Employed or self-employed Hoosiers in the 21 counties covered by the major disaster declaration who lost their employment or had it interrupted on or after August 11, 2026 by severe weather can apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance (DUA).

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is accepting applications for DUA from individuals in the following counties: Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties. Applications for DUA must be filed by October 27, 2026.

To be eligible for DUA benefits under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-4933-DR, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President;
• Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien;
• Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
• Have worked or were self-employed in, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above; and
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

Individuals in the following circumstances are included in those who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of a disaster;
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster;
• Became the major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household; or 
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government.

Applications for DUA must be filed by October 27, 2026. Applications filed after October 27, 2026, will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for filing after this date. DUA benefits eligibility will be determined on a weekly basis.

Individuals who may be eligible for assistance must first file a regular claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits by visiting the Uplink Claimant Self-Service System at uplink.in.gov/CSS/CSSLogin.htm. If the applicant is denied regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, they can then apply for DUA.

Before apply filing for DUA, individuals should gather these items:

• Social Security Number (SSN);
• Name and address of their last employer or scheduled employer;
• A copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs that show earnings and employment.

After filing for Unemployment Insurance and gathering the items shown above, individuals who think they may be eligible for DUA benefits are encouraged to apply by completing the forms found on the DUA website:  in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/individuals/dua/ . After completing the forms, click the “fill out this form” link on the DUA website to apply and upload the completed forms.

For applicants who do not have access to a computer or mobile device, Unemployment Insurance access kiosks are available at WorkOne. Find your local WorkOne at in.gov/dwd/workone/.

DUA information, including answers to frequently asked questions, are available at  in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/individuals/dua/ or through the Customer Support Center. DWD’s Customer Support Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday and can be reached at 1-800-891-6499.

Workers who have been dislocated due to the disaster, whether through permanent job loss, significant workplace damage, or long-term interruption of business operations, may be eligible for a variety of reemployment, training, and support services through their local WorkOne center. WorkOne staff can help impacted Hoosiers explore new employment opportunities, enroll in short term training, create resumes, connect with employers who are hiring, and access supportive services such as career counseling and job search assistance.