The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced today that federal disaster compensation is available to residents who lost their jobs, or had a temporary job loss, because of severe storms in April.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available for those affected by tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding across Michigan between April 10 and April 21 if they do not qualify for regular state unemployment insurance.

The presidential disaster declaration applies to workers in more than two dozen counties: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford.

Applications must be filed by Aug. 29, 2026.

Individuals could receive up to 38 weeks of disaster unemployment benefits if they lost their job or are partially unemployed due to weather-related incidents, with all benefits ending Jan. 2, 2027. Eligibility for disaster unemployment benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

Criteria to apply

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must meet all of the following criteria: 

• Apply for regular unemployment insurance benefits in Michigan.
• Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any other state.
• Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the president.
• Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien.
• Worked or was self-employed or was scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area affected by the disaster.
• Establish that the work or self-employment that can no longer be performed was a primary source of income.

Applicants must also meet one or more of these criteria:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment due to the disaster.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused by the disaster.
• Became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household because of the death of the head of the household as a direct result of this disaster.
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government as a direct result of this disaster.
• Was to begin work and no longer has a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the disaster.

You may qualify if your employment was affected in one or more of these ways but you have now returned to work.

How to apply