Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available to Texas Wildfire Victims
Release Date: April 13, 2006
Release Number: 1624-025
» More Information on Texas Extreme Wildfire Threat
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) have declared that residents of Caldwell, Gray, Guadalupe, Hutchinson, Roberts, and Wheeler counties are included in the Texas Wildfires Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program.
Individuals in Caldwell, Gray, Guadalupe, Hutchinson, Roberts, and Wheeler counties affected by the wildfires have until May 6, 2006, to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance under Presidential Disaster declaration FEMA-1624-DR.
Eligibility for help under the disaster declaration includes those who:
- Have worked or were scheduled to work in the disaster area, but because of the disaster no longer have a job, a place to work in the declared disaster area or are unable to get to the place of work because of disaster damage; or
- Have been prevented from working by an injury or illness as a direct result of the disaster; or
- Have become the new head of household and need employment because the head of the household died as a result of the disaster.
Business owners who are self-employed and have lost all or part of their livelihood as a result of this disaster also may be eligible for benefits. Farm workers and others who are usually ineligible for TWC unemployment benefits may also qualify.
If you believe you may be eligible for assistance, you may file online at www.texasworkforce.org or call the TWC Tele-Center network at one of the numbers listed below Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to talk with a representative or file a claim.
Austin local: (512) 340-4300
Dallas local: (214) 252-1200
El Paso local: (915) 832-6400
Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600
Houston local: (281) 983-1100
McAllen local: (956) 984-4700
San Antonio local: (210) 258-6600
Others call toll free: (800) 939-6631
TTY: (800)-735-2989
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 19-May-2006 09:31:37