Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Approaches 

Release Date: October 18, 2004
Release Number: 1555-034

» More Information on Pennsylvania Severe Storms and Flooding associated with Tropical Depression Frances
» More Information on Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ivan

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Federal and state disaster officials remind residents in 20 Pennsylvania counties of the Thursday, Oct. 21, deadline for filing Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) claims.

To apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, call 1-877-345-3382 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The speech and hearing-impaired can call the TTY number at 1-888-344-4046. Have your Social Security number and earnings from your most recent tax year ready.

The Oct. 21 deadline applies to residents living in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northampton, Perry, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Washington, Westmoreland and Wyoming.

Disaster unemployment assistance is intended to help individuals who are not eligible for benefits under a state’s regular unemployment insurance program. Persons living or working in counties under the disaster declaration may be eligible for 26 weeks of assistance if they are out of work because of September’s flooding. Farmers and self-employed individuals may be eligible as well.

The deadline to apply for disaster unemployment assistance is separate from the deadline to apply with FEMA. The deadline to call 1-800-621-FEMA and apply for federal and state disaster assistance is Nov. 18.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 18-Oct-2004 13:07:38