Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Extension
Release Date: July 24, 2002
Release Number: 1421-26
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Denver, CO -- The deadline for eligible residents of counties affected by the Colorado wildfires to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been extended to Aug. 23, 2002, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced today. The extension applies to residents of the 56 declared counties and two Indian reservations.
Self-employed and unemployed workers who are not covered by regular state unemployment insurance programs may apply for this federally funded, state-administered assistance. Those affected may qualify for up to 26 weeks of assistance.
Federal Coordinating Officer Steve Emory said, "Anyone unemployed because of the fires should call Colorado's Unemployment Insurance Operations at 303-318-9000 in the Denver area or 1-800-388-5515 out the Denver metro area."
Disaster unemployment assistance covers people who:
- Are unable to work because their place of employment was put out of operation, or were unable to travel to their workplace due to the effects of the fires;
- Are self-employed but are prevented from working due to fire damage;
- Have become the breadwinner, or major support of a household because the head of the household died as a result of the fires; or
- Cannot work because of an injury resulting directly from the fires;
Farmers and self-employed people who normally are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits may also qualify.
Last Modified: Friday, 15-Aug-2003 10:04:22