Disaster Unemployment Aid Now Available in 30 Texas Counties

Workers affected by floods in seven additional counties may now apply for assistance Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas  Victims of flooding in seven additional counties 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 4223-DR). Individual Assistance is now available for residents of Cooke Dallas Fannin Grayson Liberty Nueces and Walker counties. Workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to flooding in these areas may apply for DUA. Bastrop Blanco Caldwell Denton Eastland Fort Bend Gaines Guadalupe Harris Hays Henderson Hidalgo Johnson Milam Montague Navarro Rusk Smith Travis Van Zandt Wichita Williamson and Wise counties had previously been approved to receive assistance under the declaration. DUA is available for workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the severe storms tornadoes straight-line winds and flooding. Severe weather including destructive flooding has devastated multiple counties and hundreds of homes and businesses have been lost resulting in disaster-related unemployment. Individuals affected by the recent 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:

 Harris Hays and Van Zandt July 1 2015

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

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

Applications for DUA filed after the July deadlines will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for applying late. 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 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.org.