Jacksonville, FL — If you're still struggling in the wake of Hurricane Irma, you may want to take advantage of this.
The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The deadline was previously October 31.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to people who meet the following qualifications:
-Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment
-Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state; and
-Due to the disaster:
Are not able to work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster
Cannot reach the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster
Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster; or
Became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household, because the head of household died as a direct result of the disaster
If you plan to apply, you'll need to provide a Social Security number, check stubs, as well as documentation to support the claim you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.
We're told the assistance will be available from September 10, 2017, until March 17, 2018, as long as the your unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.
To file a DUA claim, click HERE or call 1-800-204-2418.