Charleston, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin announced today that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits will be available to qualifying persons residing or working in Calhoun County.
“Individuals who live or work in Calhoun County and have lost their job due to the recent bad weather, are encouraged to apply for these federal benefits,” said Michael Moore, Director of the Unemployment Compensation Division. The disaster is for the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred between May 3 and June 8, 2009.
According to Moore, claims must to be filed by July 16, 2009. The benefits cover self-employed workers not usually entitled to unemployment insurance, including farmers. At the time DUA claims are filed, applicants will need to provide proof of past earnings such as business records or bank statements, as well as their most recent income tax forms. Any WorkForce West Virginia One Stop Office can accept DUA claims.
In addition to individuals who lost their jobs directly due to the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes, those eligible for benefits may also include: (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 commence employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster, (3) individuals who became the main source of income 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 federal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or (3) lack of work or loss of revenues, if, prior to the disaster, the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of its revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area that was damaged or destroyed in the disaster, or an entity in the major disaster area was closed by federal, state or local government.
In addition to DUA assistance, WorkForce West Virginia Career Centers offer re-employment services, including testing, counseling and job placement. For more information, visit www.workforcewv.org or call 1-800-252-JOBS(5627); TDD: 304-558-1549.
WorkForce West Virginia is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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Jama L. Jarrett