Disaster Aid Available To Workers Affected By Wildfires
Release Date: February 1, 2006
Release Number: 1624-005
» More Information on Texas Extreme Wildfire Threat
AUSTIN, Texas –Texas workers who lost their jobs due to the recent wildfires may be able to claim disaster unemployment benefits. Following the fires that began in December, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated Callahan, Cooke, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Montague, Palo Pinto, Tarrant and Wise counties eligible for disaster assistance.
Individuals who were affected have until Feb. 10, 2006, to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). To be eligible for help they must:
- Have worked or been 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 could not get a place of work because of disaster damage;
- Have been prevented from working by an injury or illness as a direct result of the disaster; or
- Have become the head of household and need employment because the head of the household died as a result of the disaster.
To file a claim or to talk with a representative, eligible applicants should call the Texas Workforce Commission Hotline at 1-800-939-6631, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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 11:20:02