Local Residents Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Benefits from Lee

Federal disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) benefits are now available to individuals from Bucks, Montgomery and five other counties, unemployed due to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee.

The other eligible counties were Berks, Chester, Delaware, Northampton and Philadelphia.

“Residents of these counties who lost work due to Tropical Storm Lee may now apply for this special assistance,” Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway said in a release. “The Department of Labor & Industry and other state agencies are continuing to work to help residents get back to normal and return to work.”

Claimants in these counties must file DUA applications no later than Oct. 27.

DUA is available to individuals who are self-employed or who would not normally qualify for regular state assistance. DUA covers people who, as a direct result of the disaster, no longer have a job, are unable to reach their place of employment, were to begin work and were prevented by the disaster, cannot work because of an injury or illness caused as a direct result of the disaster, or have become a breadwinner or major supporter of a household because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster.

Applicants may file for DUA by calling toll free at 877-FILE DUA (877-345-3382), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Individuals using a text telephone (TTY) may call toll free at 888-334-4046.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a Social Security Number and, if possible, any documents that show earnings and employment for the tax year that ended prior to their unemployment as a result of the disaster.