What to expect at EDD Disaster Assistance interview? Lost work due to storms

I went through a DUA interview last year after the wildfires. They mainly want to verify that you're unemployed as a direct result of the disaster. Have ready: 1) Your last paystub or proof of income before the disaster, 2) Some kind of proof the worksite was affected (photos, news reports, letter from employer), 3) Your work search records showing you're looking for new employment. They'll ask about your normal work hours, how long you expect to be out of work, and if you've applied for any other assistance. Be honest about everything - they cross-check with FEMA and your employer.

they asked me different stuff when i had my interview last month, not disaster related though. mostly wanted to know why i left my last job and if i was able/available to work. super basic stuff.

I got approved for disaster benefits last year and then they ended up saying I qualified for regular UI instead and switched me over. Very confusing process but ended up getting paid the same amount. Just be prepared that they might move you around in the system.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED to deny claims!!! I had a disaster interview after my workplace flooded 3 years ago and they kept saying I didn't have enough proof it was the DIRECT result of the storm!! Like what more proof do you want than PICTURES OF WATER UP TO THE DOORKNOBS?? They'll find ANY reason to deny you!! Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing from your employer and take screenshots of EVERYTHING.

anyone know how long these disaster interviews usually last? mine is scheduled for 30 mins but dont know if thats normal or what

When I had my disaster interview, I couldn't even get through to an EDD rep for days! The call volume was insane because so many people were affected by the same disaster. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an EDD agent within 15 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Worth it for peace of mind, especially since my interview kept getting rescheduled because I couldn't reach anyone to confirm. For the actual interview, they mostly asked about when I last worked, how the disaster directly prevented me from working, and what my plan was for returning to work.

One more important thing to remember for your disaster interview - make sure you're clear about when you expect to return to work. If you say "I don't know" or "whenever," they might question if you're available for work which is a requirement. Better to say something like "As soon as my employer reopens the worksite, which they've estimated to be in X weeks" or "I'm actively looking for temporary work while waiting for my regular job to resume operations.

do u have to do work search for disaster benefits? regular ui makes me apply to jobs every week

I had my disaster interview last week! My apartment complex got flooded and I couldn't get to work for 2 weeks because my car was underwater in the parking lot. They asked for pictures of the flood and my car, plus a statement from my boss that I missed work because of it. The lady was super nice and understanding. I got approved right away! Good luck!!

I just went through a DUA interview two weeks ago after losing work due to the same January storms! The interviewer was really understanding about the situation. They asked me about my work schedule before the disaster, how exactly the flooding affected my ability to work, and what steps I'm taking to find temporary employment while waiting for my regular job to come back. One thing that helped me was having my employer send me a brief email stating that the worksite was closed due to flood damage - even if it's just a simple statement, having something official really seemed to make a difference. The text messages from your boss might work, but try to get at least one formal communication if possible. The whole process took about 20 minutes and I got approved the next day. Don't stress too much - they understand that natural disasters create legitimate unemployment situations and they're not trying to trip you up. Just be honest about your situation and have your documents organized. You've got this!

Just wanted to add that during my disaster interview last month, they also asked if I had filed for any other disaster-related assistance like FEMA or Red Cross aid. They're not trying to disqualify you for getting other help, but they need to know for their records and to make sure there's no duplication of benefits. Also, if you have any medical limitations that might affect your ability to work (even temporarily due to stress from the disaster), be upfront about that too. The EDD rep told me they'd rather know everything upfront than have to do follow-up calls later. Sounds like you're preparing well - having those text messages is better than nothing, and showing you're actively trying to get better documentation demonstrates good faith on your part.