Deadline Nears For Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits
Workers in Six New Hampshire Counties Have One More Day to Apply
Release Date: December 1, 2005
Release Number: 1614-023
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding
MERRIMACK, N.H. -- Workers in six New Hampshire counties who became temporarily or permanently unemployed in the wake of the severe storms and flooding that hit the state in October have until Friday, December 2 to apply for federal unemployment aid.
Individuals can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by calling the New Hampshire Department of Labor at 1-877-626-6800 or by applying online at www.labor.state.nh.us and following the instructions for filing a new claim. Persons not eligible for regular unemployment benefits will be sent a DUA application. When filing for benefits, individuals should have the following information available:
- Social Security number.
- N.H. driver's license or Motor Vehicle ID card number, if in possession of one.
- Mailing address and zip code.
- Telephone number where person can be contacted for additional information.
- Alien registration card number, if in possession of one.
- The names and addresses of all employers worked for within the last 18 months, including those in another state.
Benefits are payable for the period beginning October 9, 2005 and ending April 29, 2006.
DUA provides a temporary benefit to individuals - including self-employed individuals - who became unemployed as a direct result of the disaster and are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Examples of reasons for unemployment that could be a direct result of the disaster include:
- Individuals injured in the disaster and unable to work.
- Individuals whose workplace was damaged or unreachable because of the disaster.
- Individuals whose means of transportation became unavailable because of the disaster.
- Individuals who were unable to get to their job because they were required to travel through the affected area and were prevented from doing so by the disaster.
- Individuals who were about to commence employment but were prevented from doing so because of the disaster.
- Individuals who became the breadwinner or major supporter for a household because of the death of the former head of household in the disaster.
- Individuals who became unemployed because of a federal takeover or closure of facilities where they worked.
- Individuals who, prior to the disaster, derived a majority of their income from the affected areas and who worked for themselves or for an employer and had reduced business that can be attributed directly to the disaster.
To be eligible for weekly benefits, an individual's unemployment must continue to be a direct result of the disaster.
The New Hampshire Department of Labor can provide a variety of re-employment services to job seekers, including assistance with job searches, career counseling, resume preparation and interviewing.
The New Hampshire Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Local New Hampshire Employment Security offices will continue to provide employment services offices (including counseling and referrals to suitable work opportunities and suitable training) to assist individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster in obtaining suitable work as soon as possible. For more info, call the DUA Coordinator at 603-656-6607.
Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Dec-2005 18:09:44