Workers affected by storms in five additional counties may now apply for assistance
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Victims of flooding in five additional counties may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of an amendment to the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4223-DR). Workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to storms in Bowie Brazoria Cherokee Ellis and Harrison counties may apply for DUA. Applications for DUA for these five counties must be submitted by August 5 2015.
Texas Workforce Commissions (TWC) website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Individual Assistance provides affected residents and businesses access to federal disaster aid programs including unemployment benefits for workers who temporarily lost their jobs because of the disaster or self-employed individuals.
Individuals affected by the severe storms in these counties can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by severe storms tornadoes straight-line winds and flooding in one of the counties listed in the amended disaster declaration. In these designated areas affected individuals can find the nearest FEMA DRC by entering their zip code in the Disaster Recovery Center Locator.
Flood victims can also visit any Workforce Solutions office to apply for DUA. Victims of the floods in counties listed below must submit DUA applications by the following deadlines:
Bastrop Blanco Caldwell Denton Eastland Fort Bend Gaines Guadalupe Henderson Hidalgo Johnson Milam Montague Navarro Rusk Smith Travis Wichita Williamson and Wise
July 8 2015
Cooke Dallas Fannin Grayson Liberty Nueces and Walker July 17 2015
Fayette July 27 2015
Applications for DUA filed after the July and August deadlines will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for applying late.
DUA which is unemployment insurance benefits made available especially for victims of disaster is available to individuals who:
Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state or do not qualify for unemployment benefits
Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area
Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster
Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income
Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster
Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household
To receive DUA benefits all required documentation must be mailed or faxed within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes Social Security number a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs or documentation to support that affected individuals were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.
Send documentation to: Texas Workforce Commission UI Support Services Department Attn: DUA 101 E. 15th St. Room 354 Austin TX 78778-0001 or fax it to 512-936-3250.
Job seekers may visit or contact Texas workforce centers for access to job-search resources job postings and training programs as well as assistance with exploring career options resume and application preparation career development and more. Customers may also connect with potential employers through TWCs online job-search website at WorkinTexas.com.
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
