Lost a job to Yutu or Mangkhut? Here’s how to get help

The CNMI Department of Labor is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, or DUA, for CNMI workers in the immediate aftermath of Super Typhoon Yutu or Typhoon Mangkhut.

What is DUA?
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the DUA program to provide payment and re-employment assistance to individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster. The disaster assistance period for Super Typhoon Yutu is Oct. 28, 2018, to April 27, 2019. For Typhoon Mangkhut, DAP is from Sept. 16, 2018, to March 30, 2019.

Who can apply?
Individuals who worked in the major disaster area at the time of the disaster and are totally, part-totally, or partially unemployed as a direct result of the disaster may apply for DUA.
The following conditions may apply:
• The individual is unable to reach his/her place of employment due to the disaster;
• The individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists or the individual is unable to reach the job;
• The individual became the breadwinner or major support because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster; or
• The individual cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the major disaster.
• The individual’s work hours have been reduced as a direct result of the major disaster.
• Individuals who wish to receive DUA benefits must provide proof of identity and demonstrate their status as U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or qualified aliens.

Qualified aliens include:
• Legal permanent resident (“green card” holder)
• An asylee, refugee, or an alien whose deportation is being withheld
• Alien paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
• Alien granted conditional entry (per law in effect prior to April 1, 1980)
• Cuban/Haitian entrant
• Aliens in the U.S. who have been abused, subject to battery or extreme cruelty by a spouse or other family/household member, or have been a victim of a severe form of human trafficking
• Aliens whose children have been abused and alien children whose parent has been abused who fit certain criteria

Application deadline
Individuals may apply for DUA if they have had a week(s) of unemployment after Oct. 24, 2018, which is the date the disaster began.
DUA is available for individuals who have lost their jobs, had their regular work hours reduced, or were self-employed individuals but are no longer able to work as a direct result of Super Typhoon Yutu. Individuals must file applications for DUA by Dec. 16, 2018.
For Typhoon Mangkhut DUA, individuals may apply if they have had a week(s) of unemployment after Sept. 10, 2018, which is the date the disaster began. The deadline to apply for this aid is also Dec. 16, 2018.

How and where to apply?
Claimants may apply for DUA either in person, by mail, or by phone. DUA applications and other forms may be obtained at either of the following location(s):
• SAIPAN: Springs Plaza, 1st Floor Unit 5
• ROTA: Mayor’s Office
• TINIAN: Edu’s Plaza, 1st Floor

Individuals applying by phone should have their social security number available when calling, along with the name and address of their last employer or prospective employer of record or basic information regarding their business, if self-employed. Phone applications can be made by calling any of the following numbers Monday through Friday between 9am and 3pm.
• SAIPAN: 788-4180; 788-4183; 788-4768; 788-4769
• TINIAN: 287-0411; -783-2005
• ROTA: 32-9479

DUA is available for eligible unemployed employees, self-employed individuals, farmers and fishermen engaged in business at the time of the disaster.
Individuals who lie to obtain DUA to which they are not entitled will be required to repay all benefits and may be subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Visit CNMI DOL’s website at www.marianaslabor.net for more DUA-related information. (PR)