Disaster Unemployment Assistance May Help Self-Employed, Others 

Release Date: June 26, 2007
Release Number: 1700-015

» More Information on Connecticut Severe Storms and Flooding

Windsor, Conn. -- Connecticut workers impacted by the April Nor’easter may now be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). To be eligible for benefits, individuals must be unemployed as a direct result of the disaster and be unable to resume work.

July 19, 2007, is the DUA application deadline for those who live or work in the seven counties designated for Individual Assistance. Those counties are: Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham.

"Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which is administered by states as agents of the federal government, provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment, or self-employment, has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster," noted State Labor Commissioner Patricia Mayfield. "However, before an individual can be determined eligible for DUA, it must be established by the Labor Department that an individual is otherwise not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits under any state or federal law."

Anyone who thinks he or she may be eligible is encouraged to contact the Connecticut Department of Labor's Assistance Center at (860) 263-6785.

Applicants will need to furnish their Social Security number and proof of 2006 income. Self-employed individuals must provide documentation within 21 days of their application to prove they were unable to work due to the severe storms and flooding of April 15-27.

To apply for FEMA assistance for April storm losses, please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Persons with speech or hearing impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. An application may also be filed using the internet at www.fema.gov, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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: Tuesday, 26-Jun-2007 09:19:45