Disaster Unemployment Assistance Approved for San Carlos Apache Tribe

Benefits for those who became unemployed as a result of the Severe Storms and Flooding that occurred October 10-13, 2025

PHOENIX - (June 29, 2026) - The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for the San Carlos Apache Tribe to assist individuals affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred October 10-13, 2025.

On May 29, 2026, President Trump authorized Federal disaster aid under major disaster declaration number FEMA-4911-DR to help individuals in the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona who became unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms and flooding.

A total of up to 59 payable weeks of DUA is available to affected individuals for the first payable week beginning October 12, 2025, through the last payable week ending on November 28, 2026 for unemployment that is a direct result of the major disaster declaration. DUA benefits are calculated using earnings from the prior tax year. 

The DUA application for this disaster is available now through CACTUS, the DES online unemployment insurance benefits portal, or by paper application by contacting the DUA Call Center at 1-855-220-0905. Applications are accepted through July 28, 2026. Applicants should include the unemployment weeks they are claiming in their initial application.

What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

DUA is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted due to a Presidentially declared major disaster. DES administers the DUA program for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Individuals eligible for regular unemployment benefits are not eligible for DUA.

In addition to individuals who lost their jobs as a direct result of the major disaster, DUA may include individuals who: 

• Were employed or self-employed and prevented from performing such services,
• Were employed or self-employed but experienced a reduction in hours or income as a direct result of the disaster,
• Were employed or self-employed unable to reach their job, 
• Were scheduled to and prevented from beginning work or self-employment in the disaster area, 
• Were unable to work due to injury as a direct result of the disaster, or 
• Became head of household due to a death caused by the disaster. 

Unemployment is a direct result of a major disaster if the unemployment results from: 

• The physical damage or destruction of the place of employment; 
• The physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by tribal, federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or 
• Lack of work, or loss of revenues, if, before the disaster, the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed in the disaster or an entity in the major disaster area closed by tribal, federal, state, or local government.

All eligible tribal members should apply as soon as possible. The final deadline to submit applications is July 28, 2026.

Documentation must be provided to verify the individual’s identity with their initial application or the application cannot be processed. Supporting documentation for evidence of employment/self-employment or evidence that an individual was scheduled to begin employment or self-employment at the time of the disaster, is required when filing an initial application or within 21 days of filing the DUA application.

Required documentation includes a Social Security number and a copy of the most recent federal income tax form, check stubs or other documentation to support that the individuals were working, scheduled to start, or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

Initial applications for DUA can be completed through CACTUS. If individuals are unable to apply online, they can request a paper application by contacting the DES DUA Call Center at 1-855-220-0905. For additional information or to request an initial application, please visit the DUA website.