Disaster Unemployment Assistance available - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Disaster Unemployment Assistance available

ALBANY, NY- Residents who are unemployed as a direct result of the recent flooding and devastation caused by Hurricane Irene may be eligible for weekly benefit payments under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, state and federal officials announced today.

The availability of this program was initiated by President Obama's August 31 disaster declaration for parts of  New York State and extends to those living or working in any of the 20 counties eligible for individual assistance. 

They are: Albany, Clinton, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, and Westchester counties.

To apply for DUA, call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124 or 1-877-358-5306 if you live out of state. 

Have your Social Security number, earnings from your most recent tax year and employment history available when you call.

The deadline to apply for DUA is October 3, 2011.

You may be eligible to apply for DUA if:

• You were injured in the disaster and are unable to work, whether you are an employee or self-employed.
• Your workplace was damaged or destroyed.
• Your transportation to work is not available.
• You cannot get to your job because you must travel through the affected area.
• You were about to begin working, but could not because of the disaster.
• You derived most of your income from areas affected by the hurricane and your business is down as a direct result of the disaster.