Can I qualify for DUA after hurricane with 1099 work, minimal documentation and side gig issues?

Dude just apply! Worst they can do is say no. But make sure u tell them EXACTLY why u lost ur job. If u lie about why u got fired it can mess u up later. The hurricane stuff will help ur case but not if u got fired for cause.

Thanks for the quick response. I'm just worried about potential penalties if I apply and they think I'm trying to game the system or something. But I guess you're right - they'll just deny me if I don't qualify. Did you apply for DUA before?

Here's what you need to know about DUA eligibility specifically for your situation:\n\n1. You need to prove you were working before the disaster (the hurricane) - those Venmo payments can help establish this, so save all those records.\n\n2. As a 1099 worker, you ARE potentially eligible for DUA, unlike regular unemployment where it can be more difficult for contractors.\n\n3. The key factor is proving the hurricane directly contributed to your unemployment. This might be challenging since they fired you for the side gig issue rather than hurricane-related reasons.\n\n4. The childcare situation after the hurricane might help your case if you can document that you couldn't work due to this disaster-related childcare responsibility.\n\n5. Be prepared to submit an appeal if initially denied. Many DUA claims are denied on first review.\n\nI'd suggest applying and being completely honest about all aspects. Emphasize the hurricane timing and childcare disruption, while also disclosing the side gig issue.

This is really helpful info, thank you. Do you think I need to get documentation from my kids' mom about her power outage? And about the Venmo records - will they accept screenshots of the transactions or do I need something more official from Venmo?

I went thru something kinda similar last yr but with the flooding in San Antonio. I was doing gig work (DoorDash/Uber) and qualified for DUA even tho I didnt have traditional pay stubs!!!\n\nFor the documentation part: they asked me for bank statements showing deposits and I had to sign an affidavit about my work. The DUA requirements are different than regular UI. They WILL need proof you were working before disaster but its more flexible.\n\nALSO!!!! The reason for separation is super important - u need to be able to show that either the disaster directly caused job loss OR prevented u from doing ur normal work. The childcare thing actually might help ur case more than u think!!!!!

This is good advice. I'd add that for DUA claims, TWC often looks more at the timing correlation than for traditional UI claims. If your job loss came within 2-3 weeks of the disaster, they tend to examine the disaster connection more carefully. The childcare disruption is absolutely a valid disaster-related reason, especially if you can document it in some way (even text messages with the children's mother about power outages can help).

Oh that's good to know! I still have the text messages where she was asking if the kids could stay with me because her power was out. I'll make sure to save those. Thanks!

what about the side job thing tho?? seems like thats the ACTUAL reason they fired u not the hurricane. TWC doesnt play around with that stuff, my cousin got denied for something similar. they ask ur employer for the reason they let u go.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about. The timing with the hurricane was coincidental - they found out about my side gig right around then. But I'm wondering if the childcare situation caused by the hurricane might still qualify me for something?

The key with your situation is how you frame the separation reason when filing. While honesty is essential, your focus should be on how the hurricane created circumstances that led to your job loss.\n\nFor DUA specifically, you need to show that:\n\n1. You were working or about to start working before the disaster\n2. The disaster either directly caused unemployment or prevented you from working\n3. You don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits\n\nIn your case, emphasize the timeline: hurricane hit → had to take care of children due to disaster → employer discovered side work during this disrupted period → termination.\n\nFor documentation:\n- Get a statement from your children's mother about power outage dates\n- Download all Venmo transactions and organize chronologically\n- Create a personal statement explaining work arrangements\n- Get any texts/emails from the employer about the work arrangement\n\nHaving insufficient documentation is actually common with 1099 workers applying for DUA. TWC has procedures for this situation where they may accept signed affidavits.

This makes a lot of sense. I like how you laid out the timeline - it helps me see how I should present everything. I'll start putting together all the documentation you mentioned. Definitely have the Venmo stuff and texts with my kids' mom, not sure about emails from my employer though since we mostly communicated in person or by phone.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST CONTRACTORS!!! I went through HELL trying to get DUA after Hurricane Harvey. TWC rejected me THREE TIMES saying I \

Same here!! I got rejected twice before finally getting approved. The system is definitely designed to make you give up.

Oh man, this is discouraging to hear. I don't have the energy for a huge battle right now, especially with taking care of the kids. How long did the whole process take for you from application to actually getting benefits?

Have you tried calling TWC directly to ask about your situation? Good luck with that lol. I spent 3 weeks trying to get through to someone about my DUA claim after the hurricane and kept getting busy signals or disconnected. \n\nFinally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me through to a TWC agent in like 45 minutes when I had been trying for weeks on my own! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh \n\nThe agent I talked to explained exactly what documentation I needed for my DUA claim as a gig worker and it made the whole process WAY easier. Might be worth it in your complicated situation to talk to an actual person at TWC rather than guessing.

I haven't tried calling yet but I was dreading it after hearing about the wait times. That service sounds really helpful - I'll check out the video. Did the TWC agent tell you anything about how they handle cases where there was another reason for termination besides the disaster? That's my main concern.

Yes! The agent told me they look at the \

I just want to point out that applying for benefits when you were fired for cause (like working another job when your employer didn't allow it) could potentially lead to an overpayment situation later if they approve you by mistake and then find out the real reason. Just be 100% honest on your application about BOTH the hurricane circumstances AND the reason they let you go.

That's a really good point. The last thing I need is to get hit with an overpayment demand months from now. I've heard those can be really difficult to deal with. I'll definitely be transparent about both factors.

One more important thing about DUA that others haven't mentioned: There's a 30-day application deadline from when the DUA program is announced for your disaster area. Unlike regular unemployment which you can apply for anytime, DUA has a strict window. Make sure you don't miss it even if you're still gathering documentation.\n\nAlso, your pay documentation issue is common for 1099 workers. TWC has a specific affidavit form for self-employed or 1099 workers applying for DUA. You'll need to report your earnings as accurately as possible based on the Venmo/check records you have. Be prepared to provide bank statements showing the deposits as supporting evidence.\n\nRegarding the termination reason: be completely transparent, but frame it in the context of how the disaster created the circumstances that led to your job loss (having to care for children, disruption to normal work patterns, etc.

Thank you for mentioning the 30-day deadline! I had no idea about that - definitely going to get my application in ASAP. Do you know if I need to have all my documentation ready when I first apply, or can I submit the application first and then provide documentation later when they request it?