5 ADDITIONAL COUNTIES ELIGIBLE FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 10 -- Gov. Bill Haslam issued the following press release:

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced today Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers in Dyer, Lake, Obion, Shelby and Stewart counties as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding for the incident period beginning on April 19, 2011, and continuing. The declaration number is FEMA-1979-DR.

"As expected, a second disaster declaration has been issued by FEMA to address the damage, destruction and hardship caused by the flood waters of the Mississippi River," stated Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. "It will take some time and a lot of hard work to recover, but labor staff is ready to provide assistance through regular unemployment and Disaster Unemployment Assistance."

This brings the total to 15 counties that have been approved for individual assistance.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1979-DR for the approved counties of Dyer, Lake, Obion, Shelby and Stewart will have until June 9, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1974-DR for the approved counties of Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea have until June 6, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1974-DR for the approved counties of Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington have until June 2, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Individuals who are not covered for regular unemployment benefits may qualify for disaster unemployment benefits. This includes self-employed workers and others not covered by the state unemployment insurance program whose source of income has been interrupted by the disaster damage. If your unemployment claim is a direct result of the disaster, do not file your claim by internet to avoid delays. You may call 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

If possible, individuals should have access to their 2010 income tax return, Social Security Number, and any papers with wage and employment information prior to the disaster.

Weekly DUA benefit amounts are determined in the same way as regular unemployment benefits. Benefits range from $112 to $275 per week and are payable up to 26 weeks after the day of declaration, which was May 9, 2011. DUA benefits will end if unemployment is no longer the direct result of the disaster.

Persons who are unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and associated flooding for incident period beginning April 19, 2011, who need to file a Tennessee unemployment claim or DUA claim may call 615-253-0800, extension 7599, or 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or report in person to one of the following TDLWD Career Centers. Designated Career Centers take claims on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.

These are the 22 career centers that take mass lack-of-work claims on a regular basis.

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If persons affected by the disaster are located in Shelby County they may file their DUA claim by calling 615-253-0800, extension 7599, or 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599. The following Tennessee Career Centers process walk-in unemployment claims from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:

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For updates, please check our agency's Web site at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com