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Minimum weekly disaster unemployment assistance for October–December 1996 disasters

Summary ETA gave state unemployment agencies the minimum weekly Disaster Unemployment Assistance amounts to use for major disasters declared from October 1 through December 31, 1996. It explained that the usual minimum was 50 percent of a state's average weekly regular unemployment benefit, subject to an exception for people customarily employed less than full time, and supplied a state rate table. ETA now labels this historical letter Canceled.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
UIPL No. 04-97
Date issued
November 26, 1996
Status
Withdrawn
ETA's advisory listing labels this letter Canceled; the letter printed a November 30, 1997 expiration date. Its rate table applies only to disasters declared October 1 through December 31, 1996.
Status last verified October 26, 2026

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This document has been withdrawn. Ezel checks what federal law requires today, under current federal labor law, and answers your situation with citations.

This document has been withdrawn
ETA's advisory listing labels this letter Canceled; the letter printed a November 30, 1997 expiration date. Its rate table applies only to disasters declared October 1 through December 31, 1996. It no longer reflects the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210

Classification: UI
Correspondence symbol: TEUPDI
Issue date: November 26, 1996
Rescissions: None
Expiration date: November 30, 1997
Directive: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 04-97
To: ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
From: MARY ANN WYRSCH
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service
Subject: Minimum Weekly Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefit Amount: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 1996

Purpose. To transmit the subject computation for State Employment Security Agency (SESA) usage in computing minimum weekly DUA amounts for all major disasters declared during the first quarter of FY 1997.

Average Weekly Benefit Amount (AWBA) Utilization. On May 11, 1995, the Department published an interim final rule in the Federal Register (60 FR 25560), which amended Section 625.6 effective for all major disasters declared on and after that date. Among the changes, the amendments provide that the minimum weekly DUA amount will be 50 percent of the AWBA paid in the State for regular compensation, unless workers are customarily or routinely employed less than full-time prior to their unemployment due to the disaster. The attached listing sets forth the 50 percent of AWBA computation applicable for major disasters declared during the first quarter of FY 1997, from October 1 through December 31, 1996.

Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff and insure that the correct AWBA is utilized in determining the weekly DUA amount.

Inquiries. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office.

Attachment. Minimum Weekly Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefit Amount: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 1996.

Attachment: Minimum weekly DUA benefit amount, October 1 through December 31, 1996

Official attachment: https://oui.doleta.gov/dmstree/uipl/uipl97/uipl_0497a.pdf

Based on AWBA for total unemployment July 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996.

State or territory AWBA, 10/01–12/31/96 50% calculation, DUA Rounded minimum
Alabama 140.59 70.30 71
Alaska 172.75 86.38 87
Arizona 149.97 74.98 75
Arkansas 169.50 84.75 85
California 152.99 76.49 77
Colorado 206.21 103.11 104
Connecticut 219.51 109.76 110
Delaware 209.69 104.84 105
District of Columbia 234.56 117.28 118
Florida 172.95 86.47 87
Georgia 163.54 81.77 82
Guam 189.25 N/A1 1901
Hawaii 270.04 135.02 136
Idaho 178.39 89.20 90
Illinois 211.80 105.90 106
Indiana 187.56 93.78 94
Iowa 198.22 99.11 100
Kansas 198.31 99.16 100
Kentucky 170.31 85.16 86
Louisiana 123.47 61.74 62
Maine 168.58 84.29 85
Maryland 192.73 96.37 97
Massachusetts 250.21 125.11 126
Michigan 223.21 111.61 112
Minnesota 232.94 116.47 117
Mississippi 138.10 69.05 70
Missouri 153.42 76.71 77
Montana 163.72 81.86 82
Nebraska 160.69 80.35 81
Nevada 191.77 95.88 96
New Hampshire 147.93 73.97 74
New Jersey 254.20 127.10 128
New Mexico 155.03 77.51 78
New York 207.17 103.58 104
North Carolina 191.76 95.88 96
North Dakota 171.19 85.60 86
Ohio 200.13 100.07 101
Oklahoma 173.35 86.68 87
Oregon 187.17 93.59 94
Pennsylvania 220.51 110.26 111
Puerto Rico 92.88 46.44 47
Rhode Island 226.09 113.05 114
South Carolina 164.08 82.04 83
South Dakota 147.63 73.82 74
Tennessee 151.93 75.96 76
Texas 187.48 93.74 94
Utah 194.97 97.49 98
Vermont 168.16 84.08 85
Virgin Islands 155.30 77.65 78
Virginia 170.71 85.35 86
Washington 206.72 103.36 104
West Virginia 175.68 87.84 88
Wisconsin 201.27 100.63 101
Wyoming 181.10 90.55 91
  1. 50 Percent AWBA Not Applicable for Guam (See 20 CFR 625.6(c))

Data supplied by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Unemployment Insurance Service, 10/11/1996.

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