Date: October 23, 2017
Individuals from disaster-declared counties may continue to apply for relief
AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reminds individuals, whose employment or self-employment was impacted by Hurricane Harvey, that the deadline is approaching to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. TWC continues to accept applications for DUA from individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Applications from individuals who live in, work in, or travel through these counties must be submitted by the designated deadlines listed with each county. TWC’s website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
The application deadline for 39 counties declared in Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA 4332-DR was extended to October 31, 2017. The counties are:
- Aransas, Austin County, Bastrop, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Tyler, Victoria, Waller, Walker, and Wharton Counties
Additionally, Caldwell and Grimes counties have been added to the disaster declaration with an application deadline of November 13, 2017.
Applications can be received online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-Center during the extended hours of Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631. After October 31, 2017, Tele-Centers will return to normal business hours. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.
DUA, which is an unemployment insurance benefit made available especially for victims of disaster, is available to individuals who:
- Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits
- Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area
- Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster
- Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster
- Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household
To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, and documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.
Applicants must mail in or fax all required documentation within 21 days from the date of the DUA application. Send mailed documentation to: Texas Workforce Commission, UI Operations & Customer Support, Attn: DUA, 101 E 15th St., N. Lamar, Austin, TX, 78778-0001, or fax it to 512-936-3250.
Job seekers may visit local Workforce Solutions offices for access to job-search resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation, career development and more. Customers also may connect with potential employers through TWC’s online job-search engine, by visiting WorkinTexas.com.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
Texas Workforce Commission 512-463-8942 www.texasworkforce.org Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Relay Texas: 800-735-2988 (TDD) or 711 (Voice)