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Department of Labor and Workforce Development
 
Office of the Commissioner

Application period extended for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in Western Alaska

Feb. 26, 2026
No. 26-5

WESTERN ALASKA — As of Feb. 20, 2026, the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) related to the federally declared disaster caused by the severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong that occurred Oct. 8-13, 2025, has been extended to April 3, 2026.

This extension is to allow more time to raise awareness that as of Feb. 3, 2026, individuals who lived or were employed in the Kashunamiut Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), Yupiit REAA, and City of Saint Mary's were added to the disaster declaration for Individual Assistance and may be eligible for DUA.

The extension is also available to individuals who lived or were employed in the original disaster declaration areas of the Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), Lower Yukon REAA, and Northwest Arctic Borough areas at the time of the disaster that may be eligible for DUA.

Given the geographic complexity and to ensure residents residing in weather-dependent communities with limited connectivity have adequate time to apply, the deadline for the DUA application period has been extended to April 3, 2026.

Individuals living or working in the disaster area may qualify for DUA if they have experienced any of the following:

  • Disqualified or exhausted entitlement to regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits;
  • Worked, were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area covered by the disaster declaration;
  • Became unemployed or unable to work as a direct result of the disaster;
  • Unable to reach their place of employment or business as a direct result of the disaster;
  • Cannot work due to an injury caused by the disaster; or
  • Have become the major support of the household due to a death directly related to the disaster.

Applicants may be eligible for $153 to $370 per week for up to 27 weeks beginning the week ending Oct. 25, 2025. Applicants may call (907) 465-4691, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Interpreter services are available upon request at no charge. Self-employed individuals or others who do not qualify for regular UI benefits but were unable to perform services due to the disaster may apply for DUA.

Applicants will need to provide their social security number, contact information for their most recent employer, and dates worked. Unemployed and self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide documentation about their wages or self-employment earnings. Eligible earnings documentation would be the most recent federal tax records for tax year 2024, proof of employment prior to the disaster, or documents showing pending employment impacted by the disaster.

Reference: FEMA-4893-DR issued on Oct. 22, 2025, and FEMA-4893-DR-AK Amendment 002 issued on Feb. 3, 2026.

View the DUA flyer here in English or Yupik.

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