Ike aid extended to December

Disaster unemployment assistance for work loss from Hurricane Ike has been extended another month.

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) deadline for individuals in the 34 counties named in the Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1791-DR whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Ike between September 7, 2008, and Thursday, October 2, 2008, has been extended to Friday, December 12, 2008.

The 34 counties in the declaration include Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington.

DUA is available to individuals who:

-were working at the time of the disaster or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, and can supply proof of work to TWC,

-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,

-do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state,

-cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster, or

-who became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

Applications filed after Friday, December 12, 2008, will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for filing after the deadline.

Individuals will need their Social Security number, a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, or documentation that prove they were working or were self-employed when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.

Disaster-affected claimants may apply online at http://www.texasworkforce.org, but should specify that their claim is disaster-related. TWC will contact claimants if they are eligible for DUA. Claimants also can call the nearest Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Tele-Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, through Friday, December 12, 2008, or call toll-free at (800) 939-6631. Claimants with questions can e-mail TWC at UIHelp@twc.state.tx.us.

Austin local: (512) 340-4300; Houston local: (281) 983-1100; Dallas local: (972) 339-6200; McAllen local: 956-984-4700; El Paso local: (915) 832-6400 ; San Antonio local: (210) 258-6600; Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600; Others call toll free: (800) 939-6631

Reemployment services are available through Texas Workforce Centers or by accessing http://www.WorkInTexas.com for information.