Wednesday, July 09, 2025 / Categories: Department News State urges flood-affected workers to apply for unemployment benefits The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions is awaiting federal approval and guidance to offer Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to workers whose jobs were affected by the flooding in Ruidoso. In the meantime, individuals may apply for standard Unemployment Insurance benefits, which is the first step in the process. “We are closely monitoring the impact of the recent flooding and are prepared to act quickly to support New Mexicans whose employment has been affected,” said NMDWS Secretary Sarita Nair. “Individuals who have lost work due to the flood may apply for standard Unemployment Insurance benefits now through our NM Jobs website, at one of our office locations, or through the UI Operations Center. If the claim is determined ineligible, once a Federal Disaster Declaration is made, those individuals may be able to qualify under DUA.”Disaster unemployment assistance updates and unemployment insurance information are available on the NMDWS website https://www.dws.state.nm.us/DUA.Individuals may apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits online anytime, 24/7, at https://www.jobs.sate.nm.us, at any America’s Job Center New Mexico locations, or by phone at 1-877-664-6984, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Previous Article Workforce Solutions to host employer roundtable events Next Article New Mexico's Unemployment Rate was 4.2% in June 2025