Workers affected by storms in four additional counties may now apply for assistance
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Victims affected by the March storms of severe weather including destructive flooding and tornadoes may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in four additional counties as a result of an amendment to the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4266-DR). Workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to storms in
Henderson Limestone Shelby and
Tyler counties may apply for DUA. Applications for DUA for these four counties must be submitted by
May 9 2016.
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:
- Jasper Newton and Orange April 20 2016
- Erath Gregg Harrison Hood Marion and Parker April 27 2016.
Applications for DUA filed after the April and May 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.
