Deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is July 16

AUSTIN, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Texas Workforce Commission said individuals whose work was affected by April and May’s severe weather events have until July 16 to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The TWC said workers and self-employed individuals in the designated counties who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the severe weather may be eligible for DUA benefits.

According to the TWC, DUA is available to individuals who:

• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits, 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; or
• Were 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.

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, and documentation to support that the applicant was working or self-employed when the disaster occurred or were about to start work or self-employment and could not do so due to the disaster said the TWC.

The TWC said that those who apply for benefits must have documents that prove that they were working, or scheduled to start working, at the time of the disaster. If proof of employment is not sent by the 21-day deadline, TWC will halt DUA payments and the applicant will be responsible for repaying any benefits that were received. In some cases, TWC can use information in its system, such as wage records, to prove the applicant was employed at the time of the disaster.

Individuals can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling TWC at 800-939-6631 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Proof of employment can be submitted through the TWC’s online UI Submission Portal or by fax or mail.

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