Applied for Disaster Assistance Benefits after wildfire - no update showing in UI Online system
I applied for the disaster unemployment assistance benefits after losing my bartending job when the Sierra Ridge fire destroyed the resort where I worked. Submitted everything two days ago through UI Online, but when I log in, I only see my old COVID PUA claim information from 2020-2021. There's nothing showing about my disaster claim at all - no confirmation, no status update, nothing. Has anyone else applied for the wildfire disaster benefits and actually gotten approved yet? Or is there somewhere else I'm supposed to check for status updates? I'm getting worried because I've got bills due next week and literally have no income right now.
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Eloise Kendrick
same here! applied 4 days ago after losing my home office in the coastal fires... still nothing showing up anywere in my UI account. frustrating!!!
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JaylinCharles
•That's terrible about your home office. Did you call them? I'm wondering if we're supposed to wait for a letter in the mail or something?
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Lucas Schmidt
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) claims take 2-3 weeks to process, and they won't show up in your regular UI Online dashboard right away. What you should see is an acknowledgment email first, then a paper notice mailed to your address with your DUA claim number. Only after that will it appear in UI Online under a separate section called 'Special Claims.' You need to wait for the mail notice before you can certify for DUA benefits. I processed DUA claims during the 2023 floods, and this is standard procedure. The system treats disaster claims differently from regular UI or even PUA claims. Your old PUA information showing is normal and doesn't affect your new claim.
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JaylinCharles
•Thank you so much for explaining! I'll keep an eye out for mail. Do they send the notice via regular mail or certified mail? I'm currently staying with my sister so I hope mail forwarding works.
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Freya Collins
i think u need 2 call them. my neighbor applied for the mountain fire assistance last month and nothing happened until she called. took her 3 days of trying tho
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Eloise Kendrick
•UGH was afraid of that. Last time I tried calling EDD it was a complete nightmare getting through!
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LongPeri
I've been trying to get through to EDD about my disaster claim for FIVE DAYS with no luck. Keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then it hangs up! This is RIDICULOUS! People who lost everything in these fires need help NOW, not whenever EDD feels like answering their phones!!! Why is there not a special disaster hotline that actually WORKS??
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Oscar O'Neil
•I had the same issue last week trying to reach EDD about my disaster claim. I finally got through using Claimyr - it's a service that basically waits on hold for you and calls when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redial hell. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km For disaster claims specifically, make sure to tell the rep you need info about DUA status, not regular UI. They have different departments handling these claims.
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Sara Hellquiem
Got approved yesterday! Applied 8 days ago for the eastern valley fires. The key is you need to wait for the mail notice before anything shows online. Also make sure you checked the "disaster related" box in your application and selected the specific disaster name from the dropdown. Some people miss that part.
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JaylinCharles
•Congrats on getting approved! I definitely checked the disaster box and selected the Sierra Ridge fire from the options. How much did they approve you for if you don't mind me asking? Is it the same as regular UI would be?
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Sara Hellquiem
@OP it's actually MORE than my regular UI would have been! Got approved for $620/week because DUA can include things regular UI doesn't count like self-employment income. My regular UI from my part-time job would've only been like $270/week.
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Eloise Kendrick
•wow that's good to know! i had mixed income (some w2 some 1099) so that might help me too!
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Lucas Schmidt
Important clarification on Disaster Unemployment Assistance: 1. It takes 10-14 business days for the initial claim processing 2. You'll receive a Notice of Disaster Unemployment Assistance Filing (DE 8714DUA) by mail 3. Your first certifiable week begins the Sunday of the week you became unemployed due to the disaster 4. You don't certify until you receive the paper notice with instructions 5. DUA rates are calculated differently from regular UI - the maximum weekly benefit is $650 in 2025 For those staying at temporary addresses due to evacuation, make sure to update your mailing address in UI Online ASAP or your notices may be delayed.
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JaylinCharles
•Thank you for these details! I just updated my mailing address to my sister's place. Do you know if we have to complete work search activities for disaster claims like regular UI?
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Lucas Schmidt
Work search requirements for DUA are modified - you don't have to do the full work search activities initially if your unemployment is directly caused by the disaster. However, after 4 weeks, you will need to begin work search activities unless you have a definite return-to-work date with your previous employer. Make sure to document any communication with your former employer about rebuilding/reopening plans.
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Sara Hellquiem
•This is true - I got that info in my approval packet. They're not requiring work search for the first month for disaster victims. They know we're dealing with a lot of other immediate problems.
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Charlee Coleman
I'm so confused about all this. I applied for disaster benefits too but I'm not sure if I should be certifying for weeks now or waiting??? The EDD website is so confusing and I don't want to mess anything up. Will they backpay us for the weeks we're waiting for approval?
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Lucas Schmidt
•Yes, DUA benefits will be backdated to the date you became unemployed due to the disaster. Don't try to certify until you receive the paper notice with your DUA claim number. The system won't let you certify for DUA weeks until your claim is registered in the system. This is different from regular UI claims.
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