Wildfire victims who have had their workplace impacted may be eligible for unemployment benefits, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced Wednesday.
Those who haven’t had access to work because of an evacuation or road closure or because their workplace burned down can file a claim online at .
Those who are currently receiving unemployment benefits in the affected areas can receive a waiver from the requirement to seek work beginning the week the fire began in their area.
The High Park Wildfire began on June 9 and the start date for both the Weber Fire and the Waldo Canyon Fire was June 24.
Current beneficiaries still need to request payment of unemployment benefits. As long as the fire is the only thing stopping them from looking for work, they should report that they are able to work, available and looking for work.
They will be required to complete all requirements in the future, and the division of unemployment insurance will verify that affected individuals’ addresses are in burn or evacuation areas.
Colorado has not been deemed eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance at this time. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that provides financial assistance to workers affected by a disaster.
If eligibility changes the Colorado Department of Labor will make an announcement and begin an outreach program.
Kevin C Keller: 303-954-5224 or kkeller@denverpost.com
