NOVEMBER 15, 2024:
The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) announced today that on Nov. 1, 2024, President Joseph Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Under this declaration, federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits will be available to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal members left without work due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding noted in the major disaster declaration (DR-4842-CRS) which occurred July 13-14, 2024. This includes independent contractors, those who are self-employed, and agricultural workers.
Individuals seeking assistance through the DUA program must first file for regular unemployment benefits. As part of the application process, claimants should indicate their employment was impacted by the disaster.
DLR will determine if the claimant is eligible for regular unemployment first, as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If the claimant is deemed ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, the applicant will be provided with the DUA application. Eligible participants can collect benefits for the weeks during which they meet the necessary program criteria.
Examples of eligible DUA claims may include:
- The claimant was injured in the disaster and is unable to work, whether they are an employee or self-employed;
- The claimant’s workplace was damaged, destroyed, or not in operation as a result of the disaster;
- The claimant’s transportation to work is not available as a direct result of the disaster;
- The claimant cannot get to their job because they must travel through an impacted area and are unable to do so as a direct result of the disaster;
- The claimant was about to begin working, but the job no longer exists as a direct result of the disaster; and
- Most of the claimant’s income comes from areas affected by the disaster, whether they work for themselves or an employer, and their business is adversely impacted as a direct result of the disaster.
Individuals whose employment has been affected can apply for DUA by calling the Claims Call Center at 605-626-3179, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. CST. Please specify your claim is related to DUA and the storms.
Applicants will need their Social Security number; copies of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs; and documentation of employment, self-employment, or prospective work when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
Visit dlr.sd.gov/ra for more information about Disaster Unemployment
Assistance and other programs you may qualify for. To learn about all the federal assistance programs you and your family might qualify for, we recommend contacting FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
Reemployment services are available at SDJobs.org.
Claims must be filed by Dec. 31, 2024, to be considered timely. Any claims filed after this date will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for filing after this date. The first possible week of compensation for DUA purposes is the week ending July 20, 2024, and the last possible week of compensation is the week ending May 3, 2025.
NOVEMBER 14, 2024:
A federally approved disaster declaration means low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
The declaration is the result of a severe storm, straight line winds and flooding that occurred in mid-July (July 13–14, 2024).
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.
Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the S-B-A Customer Service Center (1-800-659-2955).
Loan amounts and terms are set by the S-B-A and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. S-B-A disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, S-B-A offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
NOVEMBER 13, 2024:
The United States Small Business Administration has opened (Nov. 12, 2024) a virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Businesses and Residents who were affected by severe storm, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred July 13-14, 2024.
The virtual Business Recovery Center is staffed by folks who are able to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application. The Center’s hours are:
Mondays – Fridays
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
(916) 735-1504
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, SBA remains committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 31, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Aug. 1, 2025.
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