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

May 28, 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commissioner Thurmond announces federal disaster unemployment assistance for 10 Georgia counties

ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in 10 Georgia counties may now be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from the destructive storms and tornadoes which occurred during the period May 11-12, 2008. Those counties include: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs. Presently, these are the only counties authorized for DUA benefits, but other Georgia counties may be added as federal officials assess the damage.

Commissioner Thurmond said two forms of unemployment assistance are now available: Georgia's regular unemployment insurance and DUA. DUA 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. The Commissioner emphasized that affected workers should apply for these benefits no later than June 27, 2008.

DUA claims may be filed at any of the Georgia Department of Labor career centers. Bibb County is served by the Macon Career Center, 3090 Mercer University Drive in Macon, (478) 751-6164; Carroll County is served by the Carrollton Career Center, 275 Northside Drive in Carrollton, (770) 836-6668; Douglas County is served by the South Metro Career Center, 2636-14 MLK JR. Drive in Atlanta, (404) 699-6900; Emanuel, Johnson, and Laurens counties are served by the Dublin Career Center, 910 North Jefferson Street in Dublin, (478) 275-6525; Jefferson and Jenkins counties are served by the Augusta Career Center, 601 Greene Street in Augusta, (706) 721-3131; McIntosh County is served by the Brunswick Career Center, 2517 Tara Lane in Brunswick, (912) 264-7244; and Twiggs County is served by the Houston County Career Center, 96 Cohen Walker Drive in Warner Robins, (478) 988-7130.

In applying for DUA 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.

Under certain circumstance, DUA 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 direct result of the disaster. 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-08-231