Assistance Available for Some Workers Affected by Severe Storms

AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4223-DR) for workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. Severe weather, including destructive flooding, has devastated multiple counties and hundreds of homes and businesses have been lost, resulting in disaster-related unemployment. Applications for DUA must be submitted by July 1, 2015. TWC’s website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Individuals affected by the recent severe storms in these counties can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused
by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding in Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties.

DUA, which is unemployment insurance benefits made available especially for victims of disaster, is available to individuals who:

• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do
not qualify for unemployment benefits
• Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in
the disaster area,
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction
to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their
primary source of income
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of
the disaster
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the
head of household

Individual Assistance provides affected residents and businesses in Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties access to federal disaster aid programs including unemployment benefits for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster or self-employed individuals. The disaster declaration applies solely to Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties. Applications filed after July 1, 2015 will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for applying after the deadline.