The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced today that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers in Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk counties as a direct result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from February 29, 2012, to March 2, 2012. The declaration number is FEMA-DR-4060.
“Disaster Unemployment brings some stability to those whose lives have been affected by these strong storms,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. “This type of unemployment assistance is available to the self-employed and others who are not ordinarily covered by the state unemployment insurance program.”
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the program on behalf of the federal government. Persons unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding must file their claim for DUA benefits within 30 days of this announcement.
If possible, individuals should have access to their 2011 income tax return, Social Security Number, and any documents with wage and employment information prior to the disaster.
Weekly DUA benefit amounts may range from $117 to $275 per week and are payable up to 26 weeks after the day of declaration, which was March 16, 2012. DUA benefits will end if unemployment is no longer the direct result of the disaster.
If your unemployment claim is a direct result of the disaster, do not file your unemployment claim by Internet to avoid delays.
Persons who are unemployed as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began February 29, 2012, who need to file a disaster related unemployment claim, may call 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599 when prompted, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or report in person to one of the following TDLWD Career Centers.
The following Tennessee Career Center locations can assist with Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims as well as take mass lack of work claims on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Cookeville, 580 South Jefferson Ave., Suite A and McMinnville, 107 Lyon Street
For updates, please check our agency’s Web site at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/
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