Why is FEMA using authority under the Stafford Act Section 408 Other Needs Assistance (ONA) instead of Section 410 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)?

DUA is very limited and only available to individuals who aren't eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI). The President’s authorization for a $300 lost wages payment from FEMA is for a supplemental payment on top of UI paid by the state, territory and the District of Columbia. Also, DUA is limited to what regular UI in the state, territory and the District of Columbia would pay out so it can't be used to supplement regular UI.

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