Residents of Crisp, Grady, Lee, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth counties are nearing the November 19 deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
 
“The heavy damage that resulted from this storm forced businesses to close for repairs, leaving owners and employees without incomes,” said Butler.  “These federal benefits help provide a financial bridge until their incomes resume.”
 
DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost, or interrupted, as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President.  It differs from regular state unemployment insurance in that it also provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees and others who are not eligible under the state’s program.    
 
Originally six counties were approved as eligible.  Those counties were Baker, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Miller and Seminole.  The deadline for those individuals to apply is Nov. 15.
 
A total of 20 Georgia counties have been approved for DUA benefits thus far.
 
Workers in the authorized counties who were directly affected by Michael must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the (GDOL) website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are also eligible to file for DUA.  Applications filed after the deadline will be considered untimely and DUA benefits may be denied unless the individual provides good cause.
 
When applying for DUA benefits, verification of income may be required. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings include copies of most recent completed income tax returns, copies of quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the DUA application was filed.