La.’s Disaster Hurricane Unemployment Assistance Filing Deadline Draws Near

The Louisiana Department of Labor reported that time is running out for individuals who are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The deadline to file is Nov. 30, according to the DOL.

Because of the widespread devastation to homes and businesses in the southern parishes of Louisiana, individuals affected by both storms were given additional time to file DUA claims and provide supporting documentation. Under normal circumstances, applications for disaster unemployment benefits must be filed within 30 days of a disaster declaration and supporting paperwork must be received no later than 21 days after the application is filed.

DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. Before an individual can be determined eligible for DUA, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).

Individuals living or working in the following 31 parishes are eligible to file for DUA as a result of Hurricane Katrina: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Point Coupee, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

The federal government has designated the following 23 parishes as eligible for disaster unemployment benefits in the aftermath of Rita: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, and West Baton Rouge.

To receive DUA benefits, individuals must provide their social security number, proof of wages, and proof of employment, including the name and address of the last employer.

Self-employed individuals must provide their business and financial records, including federal income tax returns for the most recent tax year. Claims may be filed several ways: in person at any LDOL One Stop or Job Center; online at www.LAWORKS.net; or by calling 1-800-430-8076 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The DOL also announced that its East Jefferson One Stop Job Center in Metairie is moving to a new location at 3216 David Drive.

The center will be closed Nov. 14 to move from its current location at 6701 Airline Drive and is scheduled to open in its new David Drive location Nov. 15.

The New Orleans Job Center at 1530 Thalia Street has re-opened and is assisting unemployment insurance claimants and jobseekers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The East St. Tammany One Stop Job Center in Slidell has moved from its previous location at Slidell Auditorium and will operate from a temporary location at Bethany Lutheran Church Hall, 627 Gause Boulevard. The center’s permanent facility at 316 E. Howze Beach Lane remains closed for repairs.

Three offices in the New Orleans area remain closed because of structural and/or flood damage. They are the job centers in New Orleans East, St. Bernard (Chalmette) and West Jefferson (Harvey).

Individuals can go to any One-Stop or Job Center in Louisiana or go online at www.LAWORKS.net to file claims or seek information.