Disaster Unemployment Benefits Now Available for Residents of Harrison, Preston and Taylor Counties 

Release Date: April 26, 2012
Release Number: 4059-050

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Some residents who are unemployed as a direct result of the recent storms and flooding in Harrison, Preston and Taylor counties may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance program benefits. The deadline for filing a claim is May 21.

“The DUA program extends coverage to self-employed people, farm workers and others who have lost employment as a direct result of the disaster,” Jimmy Gianato, West Virginia state coordinating officer, said. “It is specifically designed to assist those who are otherwise ineligible for state unemployment benefits.”

The availability of benefits extends to those living or working in any of the three added counties eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance.

You may be eligible to apply for DUA if:

• You were injured in the disaster and are unable to work, whether you are an employee or self-employed
• Your workplace was damaged or destroyed
• Your transportation to work is not available
• You cannot get to your job because you must travel through the affected area
• You were about to begin working, but could not because of the disaster
• You derived most of your income from areas affected by the storms and flooding and your business is down as a direct result of the disaster

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but it is administered through the West Virginia Department of Labor.

To apply for DUA, go to your nearest Workforce West Virginia One Stop Office. The offices serving the three counties are in Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown. Office locations are available at www.wvcommerce.org and www.workforcewv.org.  By phone, find your local Workforce office address by dialing 211.

Have your Social Security number, earnings from your most recent tax year and employment history available.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Thursday, 26-Apr-2012 10:02:55