Unemployment Help For Disaster Victims

PRESS RELEASE

Jackson MS— Individuals in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah Counties in Mississippi, who were unable to work because of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced today, January 5, 2016.

People who live or work in one of the affected counties and could not work because of major destruction caused by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and/or flooding that occurred December 23 – 28, 2015 are eligible to apply and may qualify to receive DUA.

Self-employed individuals, who were living or working in the affected areas at the time of the major disaster, and those who are unemployed as a result of the major disaster, may be eligible for DUA.  Individuals may apply if they were unable to reach their jobs because the disaster prevented them from traveling to work, or who were scheduled to begin employment but the disaster prevented them from doing so.

In addition, individuals are eligible to apply for DUA who as a result of the disaster:  (1) became the major supporter for a household because of the disaster-related death of the head of the household; (2) cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster; (3) could not work or lost work as a result of physical damage or destruction of a business, and; (4) are unable to work because of the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal government.

Individuals in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman or Tippah counties in Mississippi can apply online 24-hours a day at www.mdes.ms.gov  or by calling toll-free 1-877-633-7275 or 601-321-6549 from: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Thursday, February 4, 2016.