Georgia Department of Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

March 27, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FULLERTON ANNOUNCES DUA BENEFITS

FOR TWO MORE GEORGIA COUNTIES

ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Marti Fullerton said today that workers in two more Georgia counties may qualify for federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) benefits, bringing the total to 73 counties affected. The benefits are intended to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from severe storms and flooding which struck the areas on March 7.

The latest counties affected are Bulloch and Charlton. Seventy-one previously affected counties include Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Burke, Calhoun, Candler, Carroll, Clay, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Dawson, Decatur, Dodge, Dooley, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Emanuel, Evans, Grady, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lamar, Laurens, Lee, Macon, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Webster, Wheeler, White, Wilcox and Worth.

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.

"DUA benefits are different from the state's regular unemployment insurance benefits," said Fullerton. "DUA provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operations, loggers, commission-paid employees and others who are not eligible for the state's benefits."

Workers in the latest two counties declared eligible have through Monday, April 27, 1998, to file for DUA benefits.The maximum weekly benefit amount is $224.

In applying for benefits, an applicant will need a social security number. Self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide information related to earnings from their previous federal tax year.

Potentially eligible workers should contact the nearest Georgia Department of Labor office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032 E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.

FY-98-481

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