Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Chaves County Residents

New Mexico residents who lost their jobs, or are self-employed and can’t work, as a direct result of the storm and flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The program is funded by FEMA and is administered by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS). 

If you live or work in Chaves County, you can file a claim with the DWS to request benefits. To be eligible, you must have been unemployed for more than one week following the storm and flooding on Oct. 19-20, 2024. 

Self-employed and unemployed individuals may qualify for DUA if you: 

• Were scheduled to begin work or self-employment during the disaster;
• Were unable to reach your job or self-employment location because you must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the storm and flooding; 
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to your place of employment as a direct result of the disaster; 
• Cannot physically access your place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state or local government in response to the storm and flooding; 
• Can establish that the work or self-employment you can no longer perform was their principal source of income; 
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury you suffered as a direct result of the disaster, or
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death related to the storm and flooding.

DUA is available for up to 26 weeks of unemployment, ending May 3, 2025, if your unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster. 

How to Apply

• You must first apply for Standard Unemployment Insurance (SUI). This may be done by visiting www.jobs.state.nm.us, in person at any Workforce Connection Center, or by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations center at 877-664-6984, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
• If after you receive notice that you are not eligible for SUI, you then apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 877-664-6984, or in person at any New Mexico Workforce Connection Center. As a fraud prevention measure, DUA applications are only accepted in person or by phone.