FEMA Announces Putnam County Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Benefits

 

NASHVILLE - Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) unemployment benefits are now available for workers in Putnam County as a direct result of severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began April 30, 2010, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James Neeley reported. This amends the declaration for the State of Tennessee (FEMA-1909-DR). Individuals who are not covered for regular unemployment benefits may qualify for disaster unemployment benefits. According to Commissioner Neeley, persons in this county must file their claim for DUA unemployment benefits within 30 days of this announcement.

 

“This expansion of unemployment helps people like farmers, self-employed individuals, business partners and sole proprietors,” said Commissioner Neeley. “This disaster assistance will provide an important buffer until they are ready to get back to work.”   The Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the program on behalf of the federal government.

 

If possible, individuals should have access to their 2009 income tax return, Social Security Number, and any papers with wage and employment information prior to the disaster.

 

Weekly DUA benefit amounts are determined in the same way as regular unemployment benefits. Benefits range from $114 to $275 per week and are payable up to 26 weeks after the day of declaration, which was May 4, 2010. DUA benefits will end if unemployment is no longer the direct result of the disaster.

 

If your unemployment claim is a direct result of the disaster, do not file your unemployment claim by Internet to avoid delays.

 

Persons who are unemployed as a result of the severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began April 30, 2010, who need to file an unemployment claim may call (615)253-0800, extension 7599 locally or 1-877-813-0950, extension 7599, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or report in person to the Cookeville Career Center at 3300 Williams Enterprise Drive. DUA claims will be taken on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

 

For updates, please check our agency’s Web site at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/.