Sater: Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available in 15 Counties

If you have additional questions or concerns contact the Missouri Labor Dept. phone number shown below. DS

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Unemployment Available to Flood, Storm, and Tornado Victims

Presidential Disaster Declaration makes individual assistance available in Ten Additional Missouri Counties

Jefferson City, Mo- An amendment has been made to the disaster declaration, adding the following ten additional counties to the list of declared disaster areas: Cape Girardeau, Howell, Jasper, McDonald, Newton, Pulaski, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Stone. This declaration allows additional individuals affected by the recent natural disasters to access the 26-week Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. Applicants from these additional counties must file a claim for DUA no later than June 22, 2011.

On May 9, Governor Jay Nixon announced that his request for a major disaster declaration had been granted by President Barack Obama, opening the door for Missourians in declared counties whose employment was lost or interrupted due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 19, 2011, and continuing to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

“Unemployment benefits are vital during times of disaster recovery as it is the only program that is able to deliver money into the hands of those affected in a short period of time, allowing them to take care of their needs while the community recuperates,” says Department Director Larry Rebman.

The original five counties are: Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis, and Taney. Individuals who file from these counties have no later than June 16, 2011 to file a DUA claim.

The ten additional counties are: Cape Girardeau, Howell, Jasper, McDonald, Newton, Pulaski, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Stone. Individuals who file from these counties have no later than June 22, 2011 to file a DUA claim.

Eligibility for DUA will be determined on a week-to-week basis and individuals can only receive benefits for as long as his or her unemployment continues as a result of the disaster. No applications will be accepted after the deadlines mentioned above, unless for a good cause. Residents of additional counties will be notified if they become eligible for DUA.

To be eligible for DUA benefits under this Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1980-DR, individuals:

• Must be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was caused as a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President
• Must be a U.S. national or a qualified alien; and
• Must not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state; and
• Must have worked or were self-employed in, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above; and
• Must establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

Also eligible to apply for DUA are individuals who:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of a disaster; or
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household; or,
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government.

Applicants are required to provide proof that they were employed or self-employed at the time of the disaster occurred or were scheduled to begin work when the disaster occurred. This proof of employment must be filed with the initial claim or within 21 days of filing their DUA claim. To claim, individuals will need their Social Security Number and the name and address of their last employer or prospective employer. A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required (self-employed individuals should also provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F).

Individuals, who may be eligible for assistance, should call (800) 788-4002 for information about filing a claim. To file a DUA claim, call your Regional Claims Center (see below). The hours to call are between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Missourians impacted by the severe storms and flooding in all the declared counties can register for additional assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362, TTY (800) 462-7585, or register with FEMA online at www.fema.gov. For more information, visit www.labor.mo.gov/DES/notices.asp#5counties.

Regional Claims Centers (RCC):

Jefferson City RCC
Local Calling Area 573-751-9040
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

Kansas City RCC
Local Calling Area 816-889-3101
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

Springfield RCC
Local Calling Area 417-895-6851
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

St. Louis RCC
Local Calling Area 314-340-4950
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519