WorkForce West Virginia today announced Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are available to qualifying persons residing or working in Kanawha, Greenbrier or Nicholas County. These counties were part of the June 25, 2016, Major Disaster Declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“This federal support will provide much-needed assistance to people in these severely affected regions,” said Russell Fry, acting executive director of WorkForce West Virginia. “This is the first of many steps ahead to rebuild the homes and businesses at the heart of these communities. Our staff stands ready to help all those affected by these terrible storms.”
West Virginia residents who are unable to work due to the recent flooding are encouraged to visit their local WorkForce West Virginia office to determine eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits. All offices are open, and staff stands ready to assist in this process. To find a WorkForce West Virginia office near you, visit www.workforcewv.org.
The deadline to file DUA claims is Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The disaster is for recent flooding that occurred beginning June 22, 2016. Benefits cover self-employed workers who are not usually entitled to unemployment insurance, including farmers. Those who apply for DUA need to provide proof of past earnings at the time they file their claim, such as business records, bank statements and their most recent income tax form. Any WorkForce West Virginia One Stop Office can accept DUA claims, including the Charleston, Greenbrier Valley and Summersville offices, which are currently serving residents in affected counties.
DUA benefits are available for those who lost their jobs directly because of the flood, as well as (1) individuals who are unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster, (2) individuals who were to begin employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster, (3) individuals who became the breadwinner or major support for a household because of the death of the head of household due to the disaster, or (4) individuals who cannot work or perform services in self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.
Unemployment is a direct result of the major disaster if the unemployment resulted from (1) the physical damage or destruction of the place of employment; (2) the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or (3) lack of work, or loss of revenue, if prior to the disaster the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed, or an entity in the major disaster area that was closed by the federal, state, or local government.
In addition to DUA claim assistance, WorkForce West Virginia One Stop Offices offer reemployment services, including testing, counseling and job placement. More information is available online at www.workforcewv.org.
