Residents of Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties affected by July’s severe weather have a brief window of opportunity to apply for financial relief. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has announced that it’s extending the application deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for these counties through December 13, 2024. This decision comes as a response to the destructive aftermath of the summer storms.
With the major disaster declaration by President Joe Biden on September 20, 2024, individuals who find themselves unemployed as a direct consequence of the disaster may seek support through DUA benefits, a program underwritten by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. Those qualifying can count on up to 35 weeks of assistance, going through a weekly eligibility review. The IDES urges applicants to call the call center at 217.558.0401 to schedule an IDES office appointment and start the application process, according to a release.
Before approaching DUA, individuals must take the initial step of applying for regular state unemployment benefits and be found ineligible. IDES will consider each case individually to conclude eligibility and determine benefit amounts…