Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release 
Georgia Department of 
Labor 
Suite 642  148 International Boulevard N.E. 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032 
 
February 24, 2000 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
THURMOND ANNOUNCES DUA BENEFITS FOR DECATUR COUNTY 
 
ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in Decatur County may qualify for federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) benefits to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from severe storms and tornadoes which struck the area Monday, Feb. 14. Other South Georgia counties also affected are Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell and Tift. 
 
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 differs from state unemployment insurance benefits. DUA provides benefits to selfemployed business people, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible for the state's regular unemployment insurance benefits. 
 
Workers in Decatur County affected should apply for benefits no later than Monday, March 27. Workers in the other four counties should apply for benefits no later than Monday, March 20. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $264. 
 
In applying for benefits, an applicant will need a social security number. Self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide information related to their previous year's earnings, such as income tax forms or quarterly estimated income tax records. 
 
Under certain circumstances, DUA benefits also may be available to family members who become the primary breadwinners of households where the head of that household died as a direct result of the disaster. Proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit, 
 
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 Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release 
should be presented at the time the claim is filed. 
 
Potentially eligible workers should contact the nearest Georgia Department of Labor office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The department has offices at 310 South Scott St., Bainbridge; 101 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Cairo; 26 South Harney St., Camilla; 115 5th St., Moultrie; and 310 South Tift Ave., Tifton. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032 
 
E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us. 
 
FY-00-372 
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer 
 
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