Disaster Unemployment Aid Now Available for 11 Additional Texas Counties

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in 11 additional counties as a result of severe weather due to Hurricane Harvey. Individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by Hurricane Harvey may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as a result of an amendment to the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4332-DR). Individuals who live in work in or travel through the following counties may also apply for DUA: Colorado Fayette Hardin Jasper Jefferson Montgomery Newton Orange Sabine San Jacinto and Waller Counties. Applications for these eleven counties must be submitted by September 29 2017. TWCs website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The following counties are also included in the disaster declaration: Aransas Bee Brazoria Calhoun Chambers Fort Bend Galveston Goliad Harris Jackson Kleberg Liberty Matagorda Nueces Refugio San Patricio Victoria and Wharton Counties. Individuals who live in work in or travel through these 18 counties affected must apply for benefits by September 27 2017. Applications can be taken 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 Hurricane Harvey. DUA which is an unemployment insurance benefit 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 submitted 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 you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Applicants must mail in or fax all required documentation within 21 days from the date of the DUA application. Send mailed documentation to: Texas Workforce Commission UI Support Services Department Attn: DUA 101 E. 15th St. N. Lamar Austin TX 78778-0001 or fax it to 512-936-3250. Job seekers may visit local Workforce Solutions offices for access to job-search resources job postings and training programs as well as assistance with exploring career options rsum and application preparation career development and more. Customers also may connect with potential employers through TWCs online job-search engine by visiting WorkinTexas.com.