June 23, 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commissioner Thurmond announces June 27 DUA application deadline
ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh and Twiggs counties have until Friday, June 27, 2008, to file initial claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits to compensate for loss of income, directly resulting from the severe storms, floods and tornadoes which occurred during the period May 11th 12th, 2008.
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.
Federal DUA differs from the state's regular unemployment insurance program in that it provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operations, loggers, commission paid employees and others who are not eligible for Georgia's regular unemployment insurance benefits. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $320.
In applying for benefits, applicants 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, should be presented at the time the claim is filed.
To obtain additional information or file a claim, potentially eligible workers should contact any Georgia Department of Labor office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. DUA claims may be filed at any of the Georgia Department of Labor career centers. Bibb County is served by the Macon Career Center at 3090 Mercer University Drive in Macon, (478) 751-6164; Carroll County is served by the Carrollton Career Center at 275 Northside Drive in Carrollton, (770) 836-6668; Douglas County is served by the South Metro Career Center at 2636-14 MLK JR. Drive in Atlanta, (404) 699-6900; Emanuel, Johnson, and Laurens counties are served by the Dublin Career Center at 910 North Jefferson Street in Dublin, (478) 275-6525; Jefferson and Jenkins counties are served by the Augusta Career Center at 601 Greene Street in Augusta, (706) 721-3131; McIntosh County is served by the Brunswick Career Center at 2517 Tara Lane in Brunswick, (912) 264-7244; and Twiggs County is served by the Houston County Career Center at 96 Cohen Walker Drive in Warner Robins, (478) 988-7130.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
CY-08-241