News release, Mar. 8, 2007

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996 Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

March 8, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commissioner Thurmond announces federal disaster unemployment assistance for additional counties
ATLANTA State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in six Georgia counties may now be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from severe storms and tornadoes which struck the state March 1-2. The following six counties have now been declared federal disaster areas: Baker, Crawford, McDuffie, Mitchell, Sumter and Taylor.
Two forms of unemployment insurance assistance are available: Georgia's regular unemployment insurance and DUA. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that differs from state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees and others who are not eligible for the state's program. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $320. Commissioner Thurmond emphasized that applications for these benefits should be filed no later than April 7, 2007.
The Georgia Department of Labor has opened a disaster relief unemployment insurance claims center in Americus, where those who are out of work because of the tornado and may be eligible should apply. The claims center is located at the Griffin Bell Aerospace Technology Center on the South Georgia Technical College campus on Southerfield Road.
Claims may also be filed at any of the Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers. The career centers for the counties affected, their locations and telephone numbers are: Americus Career Center, which serves Sumter and Taylor Counties, 120 W. Church St., (229) 931-2520; Camilla Career Center, which serves Baker and Mitchell counties, 26 S. Harney St., (229) 522-3630; Macon Career Center, which serves Crawford County, 3090 Mercer University Dr., (478) 7516164; and the Thomson Career Center, which serves McDuffie County, 232 Main St., (706) 5953665.
In applying for benefits, applicants will need to provide their social security number. Because verification of income may be required, applicants are strongly urged to bring proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Examples of acceptable documents include: copies of their most recently completed income tax returns, copies of quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.
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DUA additions last add
Disaster unemployment benefits may also be available to individuals who become the breadwinner or major support of a household because the head of household has died as a direct result of the disaster. In general, such individuals must have shared the same residence with the head of household, and must have been related by blood, marriage, adoption, or a similar legal arrangement. The head of household must also have provided at least one-half of the household income during the most recently completed tax year. Persons who become the breadwinner or major support of a household under such circumstances should be prepared to present proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. CY-07-52