Time Running Out for Freeze Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Release Date: April 5, 2007
Release Number: 1689-003
» More Information on California Severe Freeze
PASADENA, Calif. -- The deadline is only a week away for those who lost work because of the January crop freeze to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), according to state and federal officials.
Claims may be filed through April 13, 2007. The program provides up to $450 a week for up to 26 weeks.
“Time is running out,” said Justo Hernandez, federal coordinating officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “We want to make sure that everyone who is eligible, including self-employed workers, gets this help. People should apply rather than just assume they don’t qualify.”
“Many workers who are suffering financial hardships because of the January freeze can benefit from DUA, but they must act quickly,” said EDD Director Patrick Henning. “This assistance is available to workers who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits and to those who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits,” Henning explained. “We urge all workers who believe they may be eligible for DUA to apply.”
Applicants must have a legal right to work in California.
Workers file for DUA benefits through the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The DUA program is funded by FEMA and administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked for federal help recovering from the freeze. On March 13, 2007, President Bush declared a major disaster enabling DUA and food commodities for 12 counties in central and southern California. They are Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura.
The fastest way to apply is online at www.edd.ca.gov. Otherwise, visit EDD’s One-Stop Assistance Centers, which are located in each county. EDD also has toll-free telephone numbers for help; 1-800-300-5616 in English, 1-800-326-8937 in Spanish, or TTY at 1-800-815-9387.
An ongoing program to provide emergency food supplies for anyone suffering hardships from the freeze will continue beyond the April 13, 2007, deadline for DUA applications. Those food commodities are being distributed by local assistance agencies and groups throughout the affected counties.
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: Thursday, 05-Apr-2007 13:10:01