The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) assists in recovery efforts in the communities affected by severe storms, floods, and other disasters. For general questions and assistance, please contact DOL's National Contact Center at 1-866-487-2365.
Department of Labor support includes the following income and job assistance:
- DOL's National Contact Center
1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) - Unemployment Insurance (UI)
The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. - Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. - National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs)
Impacted states can apply for DWG funds that can be used to create temporary employment opportunities to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts.- Learn how to apply for a National Dislocated Worker Grant.
- Occupational Safety and Health
The Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) makes technical assistance and resources available to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts. Call OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742 with any questions.- Learn how to keep workers safe during cleanup and recovery operations following hurricanes.
Cleanup & Recovery
Please review these OSHA fact sheets on natural disaster recovery:
- Cleanup Hazard [PDF] / [En Español]
- Flood Cleanup [PDF] / [En Español]
- Downed Electrical Wires [PDF]
- Fungi [PDF] / [En Español]
- Falls [PDF]
- Electrical [PDF]
- Chainsaws [PDF] / [En Español]
- Tree Trimming [PDF] / [En Español]
- Chipper Machines [PDF]
- Portable Generators [PDF]
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning [PDF]
- Worker Claims
The Department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) has instructions for claimants under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and information for the longshore community. - Health and Retirement Benefits
Questions about your health or retirement benefits from your employer's plan? Contact the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration or call toll-free 1-866-444-3272 with any questions. - Wages
Questions about being paid correctly following the disaster and recovery? Contact the Department’s Wage and Hour Division or call toll-free 1-866-487-9243 with any questions.
Service Contract Act
The Service Contract Act (SCA), which generally applies to federal or District of Columbia contracts for clean-up activities following a disaster, requires contractors and subcontractors performing services on prime contracts in excess of $2,500 to pay service employees in various classes no less than the wage rates and fringe benefits found prevailing in the locality, or the rates (including prospective increases) contained in a predecessor contractor's collective bargaining agreement.
Davis-Bacon Regulations for Federal Contractors
The Davis-Bacon Act requires all contractors and subcontractors performing work on federal or District of Columbia construction contracts or federally assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 to pay their laborers and mechanics not less than the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on similar projects in the area. In addition to the Davis-Bacon Act itself, Congress has added prevailing wage provisions to approximately 60 statutes which assist construction projects through grants, loans, loan guarantees, and insurance. These are referred to as “Related Acts.”
- Recording Hours Worked
Download the DOL Timesheet App to record the number of hours you have worked and calculate the amount you may be owed by your employer.
Public Service Announcements
- U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta on Safety During Hurricane Recovery Operations
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Flooding
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Electrical
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Chainsaws
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Falls
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Mold
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3] - Employment & Wages During Natural Disasters & Recovery
English [MP3]
Spanish [MP3]
News
- U.S. Department of Labor Continues to Provide Support in Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Michael [11/19/2018]
- U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta Meets With Floridians Recovering From Hurricane Michael [10/26/2018]
- U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta Meets With Georgians Recovering from Hurricane Michael [10/26/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Announces Guidance and Relief For Employee Benefit Plans Impacted by Recent Hurricanes [10/26/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and the Public to be Vigilant And Mindful of Hazards Following Hurricane Michael [10/12/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist Georgia in Wake of Hurricane Michael [10/11/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Announces Actions to Assist Americans Impacted by Hurricane Michael [10/10/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist Florida in Wake of Hurricane Michael [10/10/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Awards Disaster Recovery Grant to North Carolina in Wake of Hurricane Florence [9/21/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Announces Assistance For Hurricane Florence Recovery [9/19/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and the Public to be Vigilant And Mindful of Hazards Following Hurricane Florence [9/19/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist Georgia in Wake of Hurricane Florence [9/14/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist South Carolina in Wake of Hurricane Florence [9/13/2018]
- U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist North Carolina in Wake of Hurricane Florence [9/13/2018]
DOL Guidance For Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
- Hurricane Michael National Interest Exemption (NIE)
- Hurricane Michael NIE FAQs
- Hurricane Florence National Interest Exemption (NIE)
- Hurricane Florence NIE FAQs
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
Additional Resources
FEMA.gov
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards. Individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); for the hearing impaired TTY 800-462-7585.
Ready.gov
Ready.gov explains what actions to take when you receive a hurricane watch or warning alert from the National Weather Service for your local area. It also provides tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.
USA.gov
USA.gov is providing a one-stop page for hurricane-related information from federal agencies.
Benefits.gov
As the official benefits website of the Federal government, Benefits.gov provides citizens with easy, online access to over 1,000 government benefit and assistance programs from 17 partner agencies.
DisasterAssistance.gov
The mission of DisasterAssistance.gov is to ease the burden on disaster survivors by helping them apply for disaster assistance from 70 programs at 17 federal agencies.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Hurricane Michael will affect several southeastern states. Maps and tables are available for hurricane flood zones that may impact businesses.