Updated publication reference for PubMed record(s): 33046905. DNA damage causes cancer, impairs development and accelerates aging. UV irradiation induces transcription-blocking lesions and defects in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair lead to developmental failure and premature aging in humans. Following DNA repair, the homeostatic processes need to be reestablished to ensure development and maintain tissue functionality. Here, we report that in C. elegans removal of the MLL/COMPASS H3K4 methyltransferase exacerbates the developmental growth retardation and accelerates aging, while depletion of the H3K4 demethylase, SPR-5, promotes developmental growth and extends lifespan amid UV-induced damage. We demonstrate that specifically the DDR-induced H3K4me2 is associated with the activation of genes regulating RNA transport, splicing, ribosome biogenesis, and protein homeostasis and regulates the recovery of protein biosynthesis that is essential for survival of UV-induced DNA damage. Our study uncovers a role of H3K4me2 in coordinating the recovery of protein biosynthesis and homeostasis that is required for developmental growth and longevity after DNA damage.