United States Department of Labor

Hurricane Recovery Assistance

The U.S. Department of Labor is assisting in the recovery efforts in communities affected by this season's hurricanes.

The Department of Labor support includes the following income and job assistance:

• DOL's National Contact Center
  1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)
• Unemployment Insurance (UI)
  The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Find your state's unemployment insurance information.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
  DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits.
  Hurricane Sandy Disaster Unemployment Assistance (PDF)
• National Emergency Grants (NEGs)
  Impacted states can apply for NEG funds that can be used to temporarily employ dislocated workers. These funds can be used to employ workers on projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.
  Learn how to apply for a National Emergency Grant.
• Occupational Safety and Health
  The Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is making available technical assistance and resources to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts.
  Learn how to keep workers safe during clean up and recovery operations following hurricanes.
• Worker Claims
  The Department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) has instructions for claimants under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and information for the longshore community.
• Health and Retirement Benefits
  Questions about your health or retirement benefits from your employer's plan? Contact the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration or call toll free 1-866-444-3272 with any questions.
• Wages
  Questions about being paid correctly following the disaster and recovery? Contact the Department’s Wage and Hour Division or call toll free 1-866-487-9243 with any questions.
• Recording Hours Worked
  Download the DOL Timesheet App to record the number of hours you have worked and calculate the amount you may be owed by your employer.

Hazards from weakened and damaged trees, downed power lines, high water, and other dangers remain from hurricanes. We urge citizens to be mindful of instructions from state and local officials. Individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); for the hearing impaired TTY 800-462-7585.

Public Service Announcements

Fact Sheets on Natural Disaster Recovery

Other Resources

Benefits.gov

As the official benefits website of the Federal government, Benefits.gov provides citizens with easy, online access to over 1,000 government benefit and assistance programs from 17 partner agencies. 

• Learn more at Benefits.gov

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP)

The mission of the DAIP is to ease the burden on disaster survivors by providing them with a mechanism to access and apply for disaster assistance through the collaborative efforts of federal, state, tribal, local and nonprofit partners.

• Learn more at DisasterAssistance.gov

News Releases

• DOL's OSHA posts results of sampling for contaminants at Sandy cleanup areas in New York and New Jersey
• DOL provides $300,000 to aid West Virginia communities to recover following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL provides grant increment to assist additional New York counties following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL awards funding increment to assist New Jersey recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL issues compliance guidance for employee benefit plans in wake of Hurricane Sandy
• OSHA and EPA urge employers, workers, homeowners and others to protect themselves during flood cleanup
• NEW DATES: ERISA Advisory Council to hold final 2012 meeting Nov. 26-27
• DOL provides grant to assist Connecticut with recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL provides grant to assist Rhode Island with recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL's OSHA urges hurricane recovery workers to protect themselves against hazards
• DOL provides grant to aid New York communities with recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy
• DOL provides grant to aid New Jersey communities with recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy