Registration Deadline Only Two Weeks Away For Special Unemployment Aid to Flood-Stricken New Yorkers
Release Date: May 21, 2007
Release Number: 1692-035
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The deadline to register for a state/federal program that provides assistance to individuals who are unemployed or lost income because of the April nor'easter is rapidly approaching, disaster officials said today.
State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith said, "The filing deadline is fast approaching so we encourage everyone who became unemployed as a result of the spring flooding in these six affected counties to apply for unemployment insurance or Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)."
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program offers benefits to eligible residents of Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond (Borough of Staten Island), Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties who lost their jobs or income as a result of the storm. The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered by the State of New York.
Assistance also is available to those who live outside the area, but work or had their income affected by the nor'easter.
DUA provides benefits to individuals who are not typically covered by unemployment compensation programs, such as those who are self-employed, farmers, migrant and seasonal workers.
The April 14 - 18 nor'easter was declared a federal disaster on April 24, and unemployment benefits are offered for up to 26 weeks after that date.
Individuals must first apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) by calling the NYS Department of Labor on a Monday or Tuesday at 1-888-209-8124, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and follow the instructions for filing a new claim. After completing the telephone application, inform the representative that you are filing due to the April storms. Those individuals who are eligible for UI must serve an unpaid waiting week before any payments can be issued. If you are not eligible for regular UI benefits, you will be mailed a DUA application. Further information on DUA (or application forms if you did not receive one), can be obtained by calling 1-866-642-7227.
The deadline for DUA applications for residents of Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties is June 4; the deadline to register in Albany, Dutchess, Richmond counties is June 5; and the Ulster County deadline is June 11.
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: Tuesday, 22-May-2007 08:16:08