Disaster Unemployment Deadline For Hurricane Frances Nears 

Release Date: November 26, 2004
Release Number: 1545-204

» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances

ORLANDO, Fa. -- Floridians who lost their source of income due to Hurricane Frances, which made landfall on Sept. 4, have until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, to apply for federal disaster unemployment benefits.

Federal disaster unemployment assistance extends income compensation to self-employed people, farm workers and others who have lost income as a result of a presidentially-declared disaster, even if they would not normally be eligible for state unemployment compensation.
Unemployment benefits can extend for as long as 26 weeks.

“The self-employed are often the first to feel such losses, yet they are not eligible for state unemployment compensation. This program can help them recover some of their economic loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Carwile.

State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate said applicants can file a claim for disaster unemployment assistance using any of three different methods. Claims may be filed in person at One-Stop Centers or disaster recovery centers, by phone at 1-800-204-2418, or on the Internet at www.fluidnow.com. Filing on-line also provides a guide to filing on the Internet and gives a complete list of the information applicants need to have at hand when they apply.

On the ‘fluidnow.com’ website, click on “Internet Unemployment Compensation Claim Application,” or click on the “Guide to Completing the Unemployment Compensation Internet Application” for step-by-step instructions.

The program is administered by Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation. Benefits are paid using the same procedures as the state unemployment program.

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: Friday, 26-Nov-2004 19:23:46