State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said that workers in seven Georgia counties have until Friday, Nov. 18, to file initial claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits to compensate for loss of income, directly resulting from Hurricane Matthew from Oct. 4-15. The counties are Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne.

DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost, or interrupted, as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President.  It differs from regular state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible to receive benefits under the state’s program.

Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $330 beginning the week of Oct. 9.

Individuals in the authorized counties who were directly affected by Matthew must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are also eligible to file for DUA.

When applying for DUA benefits, verification of income may be required. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings include copies of most recent completed income tax returns, copies of quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.

DUA benefits may also be available to individuals who become the breadwinner or who provide major financial support for a household because the head of household died as a direct result of the hurricane. Individuals applying for benefits under such circumstances must present proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit.

While applications may be filed at any GDOL career center, those in the seven-county-disaster area are the Brunswick Career Center, 2517 Tara Lane, (912) 264-7244; Savannah Career Center, 5520 White Bluff Road, (912) 356-2773 and Statesboro Career Center, 62 Packinghouse Road, (912) 681-5156.  To find the locations of other career centers, visit www.dol.georgia.gov.