CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The State and WorkForce West Virginia announced Wednesday that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been expanded to include Pleasants and Ritchie counties, offering temporary federal benefits to workers who lost employment or self‑employment due to the severe storms and flooding that began July 21.
The two counties join Lewis and Upshur, which previously qualified following the Major Disaster Declaration approved by President Donald J. Trump on Aug. 3.
“Families and businesses in these communities are still dealing with the consequences of the July storms, and for some West Virginians that includes losing their ability to earn a paycheck,” Morrisey said. “Expanding this assistance gives more people access to help as they work to recover and get back on their feet.”
DUA provides benefits to individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance, including self‑employed workers and farmers. Eligible residents in all four counties must file claims by Oct. 2, 2026, and self‑employed applicants must submit proof of past earnings within 21 days of filing.
The assistance covers losses tied to severe storms, straight‑line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the July 21–22 incident period. Benefits may continue through Feb. 6, 2027, depending on week‑to‑week eligibility.
Individuals may qualify if they cannot reach their workplace due to disaster conditions, were scheduled to begin work but were prevented by the storm, became the household’s primary support due to a disaster‑related death, or suffered a disaster‑related injury preventing them from working.
Unemployment may also be considered a direct result of the disaster if the workplace was damaged or destroyed, made inaccessible by government closure, or lost revenue due to reliance on entities in the disaster area.
Residents impacted by the July storms can contact WorkForce West Virginia at ucpolicy@wv.gov or 304‑558‑3340 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. WorkForce also offers resume assistance, job search support, job placement services, and a fraud reporting line at 1‑800‑252‑JOBS (5627).
