Disaster Unemployment Aid Available for Ten Additional Counties

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today announced that 10 counties including, Austin, Bastrop, DeWitt, Gonzales, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Polk, Tyler and Walker, have been added to Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA 4332-DR. TWC is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Individuals who live in, work in, or travel through these ten counties must be submitted by October 5, 2017. TWC’s website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

The following counties are also included in the disaster declaration with applications deadlines:

• Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Jackson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Wharton Counties. Applications must be submitted by September 27, 2017 for these 18 counties.
• Colorado, Fayette, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Jacinto and Waller Counties. Applications must be submitted by September 29, 2017 for these 11 counties.

Applications can be taken online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 800-939-6631. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

DUA, which is an unemployment insurance benefit 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

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., N. Lamar, Austin, TX, 78778-0001, or fax it to 512-936-3250.

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 connect with potential employers through TWC’s online job-search engine, by visiting WorkinTexas.com.

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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWCprograms and services subscribe to our email updates.