Individuals Unemployed By Tornadoes, Flash Flooding May Be Eligible For Disaster Unemployment Benefits 

Release Date: January 18, 2000
Release Number: 1310-05

» More Information on Kentucky Tornadoes, Severe Storms, Torrential Rains And Flash Flooding

» 2000 Region IV News Releases

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Workers in Daviess, Crittenden and Webster Counties who are unemployed as a result of last week's tornadoes and flash-flooding may be eligible to file for federal disaster unemployment assistance, according to Director Richard Payne of the Owensboro-Daviess County Emergency Management Agency.

The program extends coverage to persons who otherwise would be ineligible for unemployment compensation under the regular state program, Payne explained.

The special assistance program was triggered by President Clinton's declaration of the three counties as a major disaster area. It provides unemployment benefits for self-employed agricultural and hourly paid workers, those on salary, and other categories of workers that do not qualify for standard unemployment compensation, said Scott Wells, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official who coordinates federal response and recovery efforts.

"The disaster unemployment assistance program is designed to help people make ends meet until they can get back to work or resume their customary employment," Payne added. The deadline for applying for benefits is February 13, he said. Applications can be filed at the Department for Employment Services in Madisonville, 56 Federal St., or by calling 270-824-7516; the Department for Employment Services in Owensboro, 121 E. Second St., or by calling 270-687-7275; or the Department for Employment Services in Henderson, 212 Water St., or by calling 270-826-2746.

Federally funded, disaster unemployment benefits are administered by the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, an agency of the Cabinet for Workforce Development. Payne said self-employed applicants should bring a copy of their latest income tax return. Other applicants need only a photo-identification card and their Social Security number.

Meantime, both Payne and Wells emphasized that individuals, families-including homeowners and renters-and businesses suffering losses in the storms must register by phone for federal and state assistance. FEMA's toll-free hotline number is 1-800-462-9029. For persons with speech or hearing impairments, the toll-free number is TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Nov-2003 17:11:35