PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Astia LeBron | Public Information Officer
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor
Office of the Commissioner| 340-773-1994
VIDOL encourages eligible applicants to apply for DUA benefits as soon as possible, before the close of the application period on AUGUST 30, 2019.
The Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) announces an extension of the last date to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits. The final application period will end on Friday, August 30, 2019, by close of business.
In collaboration with the Office of the Governor, Commissioner of Labor, Gary Molloy, would like to inform all residents of the territory, who became unemployed as a direct result of Hurricanes Irma and or Maria and remained unemployed, that they will be able to take advantage of the extended disaster assistance period, if all eligibility requirements are met. Once a claimant returns to work, eligibility to the DUA benefits may end.
Eligibility is based on the following criteria:
1) Individuals who have exhausted Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster.
2) Individuals who have exhausted regular Unemployment Insurance claims and Extended Benefits claims and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster, even if they did not apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance during the original Disaster Assistance Period.
3) Individuals who had a lapse in continued claim filings and remained unemployed as a result of the disaster, if the reason for the lapse is not disqualifying (e.g., the lapse didn’t result from the individual returning to suitable work).
4) Individuals who have never applied for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (for reasons other than collecting regular Unemployment Insurance benefits or Extended Benefits during the original disaster assistance period) if they can show good cause for the late filings.
For St. Thomas and St. Croix claimants, unemployment insurance representatives will be available at normal locations 2353 Kronprindsens Gade, St. Thomas, and 4401 Sion Farm Ste. 1, St. Croix Mondays thru Fridays 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For St. John claimants, an unemployment insurance representative will be available in Cruz Bay at the St. John Battery on Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Applicants no longer residing in U.S. Virgin Islands may call 340-715-5711 to file for benefits.
VIDOL invites questions and concerns regarding Disaster Unemployment Assistance eligibility and the overall process. The Department appreciates the partnership with the public and the media in this matter. Visit the VIDOL online at https://www.vidol.gov. The public may also call the Unemployment Insurance Division directly on St. Croix (340)773-1994 or on St. Thomas (340)776-3700.