Unemployment Help Filing Deadline Approaching for Five Counties

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission reminds people affected by severe storms in five counties that the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is 11:59 Wednesday night, August 5. The help is offered under a Presidential Disaster Declaration. The five counties are Cherokee, Harrison, Bowie, Ellis, and Brazoria.

According to a TWC news release, workers and self-employed individuals affected by the storms in those counties can apply for benefits online at Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling the 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. Storm victims can also visit any Workforce Solutions office to apply for DUA. Applications for DUA filed after the August 5 deadline will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for applying late, according to the news release.

DUA 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

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Applicants must mail in or fax all required documentation within 21 days from the date of the DUA application. Send mailed documentation to: Texas Workforce Commission, UI Support Services Department, Attn: DUA, 101 E. 15th St., Room 354, Austin, TX, 78778-0001, or fax it to 512-936-3250.

After applying for DUA, you must actively search for full-time employment unless TWC informs you that you are exempt from the work search requirement. Job seekers may visit local Workforce Solutions offices for access to job-search resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation, career development, and more. Customers also may visit http://www.WorkinTexas.com to connect with potential employers through TWC’s online job-search engine.