ATLANTA — Workers in 30 more Georgia counties may now be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for income lost directly from Hurricane Helene, State Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced Wednesday.
DUA is a federal program that helps workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. According to a release, it's different from regular state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to those who are self-employed, commission-paid employees and others not eligible under the state's program.
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Starting this past Sunday, Sept. 29, applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365.
However, those in authorized counties affected by Helene must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website or in person at any GDOL career center. The GDOL will then notify those if they are eligible to file for a DUA.
Those eligible must apply for a DUA no later than Monday, Dec. 2.
Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. According to a release, acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of the most recently completed income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records or similar documents.
In addition, DUA benefits may also be available to those who become the breadwinners or provide major financial support for a household because the head of the household died from the hurricane. Those applying for benefits under these circumstances should present proof of death, such as a death certificate or affidavit.
The complete list of counties declared as affected by Helene are:
- Appling
- Atkinson
- Bacon
- Ben Hill
- Berrien
- Brooks
- Bulloch
- Burke
- Candler
- Chatham
- Clinch
- Coffee
- Colquitt
- Columbia
- Cook
- Echols
- Emanuel
- Evans
- Glascock
- Irwin
- Jeff Davis
- Jefferson
- Jenkins
- Johnson
- Lanier
- Laurens
- Liberty
- Lincoln
- Lowndes
- McDuffie
- Montgomery
- Pierce
- Richmond
- Screven
- Tattnall
- Telfair
- Toombs
- Treutlen
- Ware
- Washington
- Wheeler
Commissioner Thompson said that the DUA benefits provide crucial financial support as communities work to come together and rebuild. Thompson also stated that it helps both individuals and families regain a sense of stability and hope for the future in the midst of disaster.
"Many Georgians are still without basic utilities and have suffered significant income loss in the wake of Hurricane Helene," Thompson said.
Although applications may be filed in person at any GDOL career center, officials encourage those to apply on the GDOL website. To do so, click here.
For any more information on the DUA and the GDOL career center locations, go to that same website or call the GDOL toll-free customer service line at 1-877-709-8185.
