FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 7, 2004
CONTACT: Warren May (850) 294-4804

Disaster Unemployment Assistance now Available to Hurricane Frances Victims

October 6 Is Application Deadline

TALLAHASSEE— Susan Pareigis, Director of Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation, announced today that individuals who have lost jobs or businesses as a result of Hurricane Frances may be entitled to Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits. On September 4, 2004, President George W. Bush, in response to a request from Governor Jeb Bush, declared a major disaster for eighteen Florida counties, clearing the way for use of federal funds to provide assistance to individuals affected by the disaster. The affected counties are: Brevard, Broward, Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Citrus, Glades, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, and Sumter Counties

Although many workers will be covered by the state’s regular unemployment compensation program, those not covered may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is a federally funded program, which assists individuals who become unemployed as a direct result of a declared disaster. The program also covers self-employed individuals, owners of farms and ranches, farm and ranch workers, as well as fishers and others who are not normally covered by state unemployment compensation.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation administers the DUA program in Florida in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and state and regional workforce boards. Funding for the program is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Applicants must file for disaster benefits within 30 days of the date of public notification. Therefore, DUA applications must be filed no later than October 6, 2004.

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