ATLANTA — Four more Georgia counties are now eligible to receive federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance to help compensate for income lost due to Hurricane Helene.
According to a release from the state's Department of Labor, Dodge, Hancock, Thomas, and Warren Counties are newly added.
The complete list of counties declared as affected by Hurricane Helene are:
Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Thomas, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Wheeler
“Many Georgians are still without basic utilities and have suffered significant income loss in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits provide critical financial support as our communities come together to recover and rebuild, helping individuals and families regain a sense of stability and hope for the future.”
What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
The federal program helps workers whose primary source of income has been interrupted or no longer exists due to a "disaster declared by the President."
According to the Department of Labor, it's typically set up for "self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible under the state’s program. "
How much will those approved receive?
The Department of Labor notes that "applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024."
What to do for assistance?
Those in counties directly affected by Hurricane Helene should first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any GDOL career center.
The state's Department of Labor will notify those individuals if they can file for DUA. If you live in Dodge, Hancock, Thomas, or Warren Counties, you must apply for DUA no later than Friday, December 6, 2024.
The Department of Labor says you should provide "proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year," which can be income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.
