By Valarie Edwards for GPB news.
State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in two Georgia counties – Baker and Early -- have until Friday, July 24, 2009, to file initial claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits to compensate for loss of income, directly resulting from severe storms and tornadoes, which struck the area on March 26, 2009.
Federal DUA differs from the state’s regular unemployment insurance program in that it provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operations, loggers, commission paid employees and others who are not eligible for Georgia’s regular unemployment insurance benefits. The maximum weekly benefits amount is $330.
Potentially eligible workers should contact the nearest Georgia Department of Labor office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Workers may call the Georgia Department of Labor’s toll-free customer service line at (877) 709-8185 to obtain career center information
