Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Residents of Rincón Affected by Earthquakes

Release Date Release Number
NR 047
Release Date:
April 12, 2021

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that employees or self-employed individuals who live in Rincón and became unemployed as a direct consequence of the Earthquakes that began in December 28, 2019 may be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Survivors that live in Rincón can file a claim until May 12, 2021. To be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, the applicant must:

  • File a regular unemployment insurance claim and be determined ineligible for benefits;
  • Be unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of the disaster;
  • Be able and available for work, unless injured as a direct result of the disaster;
  • File an application for DUA within 30 days of the date of this announcement; and
  • Have not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.

Survivors can find the DUA application at trabajo.pr.gov. Applications can be can placed in the mail box located at the nearest Puerto Rico Department of Labor office, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or uploaded at trabajo.pr.gov/DocUploader

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation may include Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax return, check stubs or documentation to support that applicants were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

To verify eligibility and additional information on DUA, survivors must visit their local unemployment office or visit trabajo.pr.gov. DUA is managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and funded by FEMA. Survivors may also search for employment and training opportunities through the American Job Center or by visiting CareerOneStop.org/LocalHelp.  

Survivors who require any reasonable accommodation, can request it and it will be provided. People who are deaf or hard of hearing are encouraged to use the VRS or Video Relay Service.

For more information on Puerto Rico’s recovery from the earthquakes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4473. Follow us at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico.

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