Texans in 20 counties can seek disaster unemployment aid after devastating flooding

Texans in 20 counties can seek disaster unemployment aid after devastating flooding by Jessica Warner Fri, November 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM 10 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Workers and self-employed Texans in 20 counties who lost income because of severe storms and flooding this summer can now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: Disaster Unemployment Assistance Texas Workforce Commission Flooding Severe storms Disaster declaration DR-4935-TX Unemployment benefits WorkinTexas.com KERRVILLE, Texas - Workers and self-employed Texans in 20 counties who lost income because of severe storms and flooding this summer can now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, On Friday, the Texas Workforce Commission announced it is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, or DUA, for people impacted by severe storms and flooding that occurred between July 12 and Aug. 4, 2026. The assistance is available under the Presidential Disaster Declaration (DR-4935-TX) dated Sept. 1, 2026. TWC said workers and self-employed individuals in the designated counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the storms and flooding may be eligible in: Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Crockett, Dimmit, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties. People can apply online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling TWC at (800) 939-6631 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 29, 2026. TWC said applicants should specify their application is related to damage caused by the July storms and flooding. RELATED | Flood survivors plead with Gov. elect Hinojosa as federal aid approval is progress DUA is an unemployment insurance benefit intended for disaster victims who have used all regular unemployment benefits or do not qualify for them. TWC said eligibility may also apply to people who worked or were self-employed — or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment — in the disaster area and can no longer work because of physical damage or destruction to their workplace, or because they were injured as a direct result of the disaster. Other situations that may qualify include becoming the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household, or being unable to reach a job or self-employment location because travel through the affected area is blocked by the disaster. TWC said unemployment may be considered a direct result of the disaster when it results from physical damage to the workplace, physical inaccessibility caused by a government closure in immediate response to the disaster, or certain immediate losses of work or revenue connected to a damaged, destroyed or government-closed entity in the disaster area. TWC said required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Applicants must provide their Social Security number when filing and submit documents showing they were employed, self-employed, or scheduled to begin employment or self-employment when the disaster occurred. “TWC must have documents that prove you were working, or scheduled to start working, at the time of the disaster,” the agency said. “If you do not send us proof of employment by the 21-day deadline, TWC will halt DUA payments, and you will be responsible for repaying any benefits you received.” TWC said in some cases it can use information already in its system, such as wage records, to verify employment at the time of the disaster. For the fastest review, TWC recommends submitting proof of employment through its online UI Submission Portal and selecting “DUA Proof of Employment at Time of Disaster” from the submission type menu. People who cannot use the online portal can submit proof by fax or mail to: Texas Workforce Commission Attn: DUA Proof P.O. Box 149137 Austin, TX 78714-9137 Fax: (512) 322-2867 TWC also encouraged affected Texans to visit its website for information on connecting with local Workforce Solutions offices for job search resources, job postings and training programs, and other career services. Job seekers can also use the agency’s online job-search engine at WorkinTexas.com. Additional counties could be added to the disaster declaration, TWC said. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is encouraging Texans to report damage to homes and businesses using the online Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, or iSTAT, which officials use to help determine eligibility for federal assistance such as DUA. Trending Dozens of undelivered ballots found in dumpster at Seattle park The ballots have already been reissued to the affected voters. 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