Disaster Unemployment Aid is Available in 13 Texas Counties

AUSTIN – 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 Commission’s (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.

Disaster Aid

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 TWC’s online job-search website at WorkinTexas.com.