Disaster Unemployment Assistance Announced

The Department of Labor & Industry Secretary, Julia Hearthway announced the availability of federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) benefits to individuals unemployed, including self-employed workers, due to the effects of Huricane Irene between Aug. 26-30 or as a result of Tropical Storm Lee and the severe storms, heavy rains and flooding that have resulted since Sept. 3rd. 

DUA is available under the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan and Wyoming counties.

Pennsylvanians who are unemployed as a result of either storm can apply immediately for regular state unemployment compensation (UC) if the employment was covered under the state UC law, or for the special federal DUA benefits.

DUA is available to individuals who are self-employed or who would not normally qualify for regular state assistance.  DUA covers people who, as a direct result  of the disaster, no longer have a job, are unable to reach their place of employment, were to begin work and were prevented by the disaster, cannot work because of an injury or illness caused as a direct result of the disaster, or have become a breadwinner or major supporter of a household because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster.

Unemployemnt is considered a direct result of the disaster if it resulted from the physical damage or destruction of the place of employement, the physical inacessibility of the place of employement due to it's closure by the federal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster, or lack of work, or loss of revenues, if prior to the disaster, the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed in the disaster or an entity in the major disaster area closed by the federal, state, or local government.

Applicants may file for DUA by calling toll free at 877-FILE DUA (877-345-3382), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday 

Individuals using a text telephone (TTV) may call toll free at 888-334-4046.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a Social Security Number and, if possible, any documents that show earnings and employement for the tax year that ended prior to their unemployment as a result of the disaster.

Claimants must file DUA applications no later than Oct. 14th.

Information courtesy of Upper Moreland Township