President Joseph R. Biden authorized Federal disaster aid for the State of New Mexico, making Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) available to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the 2024 Wildfires. The President acted upon a request by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) is currently waiting for federal approval and guidance for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to be offered to workers whose employment has been affected by the Southfork or Salt fires. Individuals may apply for Standard Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits now, a first step in the DUA process.