Time Is Running Out For Disaster Unemployment Assistance 

Release Date: October 21, 2008
Release Number: 1795-029

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Indiana residents who lost their jobs because of severe storms and flooding are urged to apply now for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Hoosiers can apply for assistance at any WorkOne center. Locations can be found by visiting www.in.gov/dwd/4141.htm

The deadline for affected workers to file is: Oct. 27 for residents of Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties; Nov. 3 for those in Harrison, Jefferson and Jennings counties; Nov. 5 for those in Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Pike, Spencer and Switzerland counties; and Nov. 17 for Floyd, Perry, Scott and Washington counties.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced that some residents in the designated counties may be eligible for DUA benefits. To be eligible, workers or self-employed individuals must be unemployed as a result of a federally declared major disaster. The federal disaster declaration was issued as a result of severe storms and flooding which took place from the period Sept. 12 to Oct. 6.

The benefits, (which also extend to self-employed persons), are funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a program administered by the Indiana Department of Labor. The program is available to unemployed U.S. nationals and qualified aliens.

Persons in the designated counties who had to evacuate should make sure the U.S. Postal Service has their current address. This is important for State disaster unemployment benefits as well as FEMA disaster assistance applications. Change of address requests can be submitted online at www.usps.com. After changing an address, contact FEMA to update applicant files online at www.fema.gov , by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or at TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 22-Oct-2008 08:30:44