Disaster Aid Available for Workers in Bastrop County

September 14, 2011

AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4029-DR) for workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to wildfires in Bastrop County that began on Aug. 30, 2011.

Wildfires have devastated Bastrop County, with upwards of 1,500 homes and upwards of 20 businesses lost, resulting in disaster-related unemployment. The Presidential Disaster Declaration applies solely to Bastrop County. Workers can apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits online, and applications for DUA must be submitted by Oct. 13, 2011.

TWC has also deployed Mobile Workforce Units to Bastrop County to make resources available to apply for UI benefits and DUA. The units are located at:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center Bastrop Ninth Grade Academy 6102 Hill St Bastrop, Texas 78602
• Smithville Indoor Recreation Center 106 Gazley St Smithville, Texas 78957

Wildfire victims who have since left Bastrop County can go to any Workforce Solutions Center and apply for DUA.

DUA, which is UI benefits made available especially for victims of disaster, is available to individuals who:

• have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, 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; or
• became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

Individuals affected by Texas wildfires should apply for benefits by logging onto http://ui.texasworkforce.org or by calling a TWC Tele-Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time at 1-800-939-6631. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the wildfires.

Applications for DUA filed after Oct. 13, 2011 will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for applying after the deadline.

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, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

Applicants must mail in or fax all required documentation within 21 days from the date of the DUA application. Send mailed documentation to: Texas Workforce Commission, UI Support Services Department, Attn: DUA, 101 E. 15th St., Room 354, Austin, TX, 78778-0001, or fax it to (512) 936-3250.

Job seekers may visit Texas workforce centers for access to job-search resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation, career development, and more. Customers also may connect with potential employers through TWC’s online job-search engine, www.WorkInTexas.com.