Published: 08-04-08
Workers affected by Hurricane Dolly have 30 days to apply for assistance
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced that as a result of Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1780-DR TWC is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in Cameron Hidalgo and Willacy counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Dolly starting Tuesday July 22 2008 and continuing.
Applications for DUA must be filed by Tuesday September 2 2008.
DUA is available to individuals who:
• worked or were self-employed in or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment
• 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
• do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state
• cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster or
• who became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.
Applications filed after Tuesday September 2 2008 will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for filing after the deadline.
Individuals will need their Social Security number a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs or documentation to support they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
DUA is available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning Sunday July 22 2008 and up to Saturday January 24 2009 as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster.
To file for DUA individuals may call the nearest TWC Tele-Center from Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time or call the toll-free number at (800) 939-6631.
Additional information is available at http://www.texasworkforce.org. Reemployment services are available through Texas Workforce Centers or by accessing http://www.WorkInTexas.com for information.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the programs it offers in unison with its network of local workforce development boards call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
