HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Residents have less than a week left to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 4. The Guam Department of Labor said that there will be no deadline extension to file claims.
“I can’t stress enough that you shouldn’t wait until the last day or two. The deadline will not be extended for filing DUA claims. We also noticed that a large number of people have not submitted their supporting documents. This is very important and failure to submit within 21 days of filing may result in denial of benefits,” acting GDOL Director Gerard Toves stated in a news release.
“Our team is preparing to transition into the review process, which can take several weeks to complete. We will continue to give updates and information to the community as they become available,” Toves added.
GDOL began accepting applications for the DUA program on Sept. 5, and, so far, more than 3,000 claimants have submitted claims.
Applications may be completed online through hireguam.com or in person at the DUA Claims Center at Paseo Stadium in Hagåtña between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
DUA is a federal program administered through the U.S. Department of Labor and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It offers weekly assistance of $384.
According to GDOL, the assistance is payable to workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or businesses, were unable to commence or reach their jobs or self-employment, or had their work hours reduced or interrupted due to impacts brought about by Typhoon Mawar.
Individuals seeking DUA benefits must provide proof of identity and demonstrate their status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualified alien.
For those who have already submitted claims, all supporting documents must either be submitted online through hireguam.com or at the claims center at the Paseo Stadium. This must be done within 21 days of filing a claim and failure to do so may result in the denial of DUA benefits.
According to GDOL, documents that may be required include, but are not limited to:
• A valid government-issued picture identification (driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card, etc.).
• Social Security card or picture identification reflecting Social Security Number.
• Proof of citizenship status to qualify for DUA benefits.
• Proof of employment or earnings (check stub, income tax return, business license, gross receipts tax document, financial statements, bank records, invoices, receipts).
• Documentation substantiating loss of business.
• Other proof of earning.
• Verification of unemployment from your employer.
Call the DUA hotline at 671-479-5610 or 671-479-5612 for help or email dua.hotline@dol.guam.gov.
GDOL notes that DUA phone lines do not have a busy signal and will continue to ring while representatives are assisting other callers.
“If this happens, you may call the hotline again or contact GDOL via email,” GDOL stated in its release.
For more information about DUA, visit dol.guam.gov/DUA.
The Guam Department of Labor director’s office on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, on the eighth floor of the GCIC Building in Hagåtña.
