The U.S. Department of Labor approved a uniform extension of the application deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance related to the North Dakota flooding resulting from Presidential-declared disaster FEMA-1981-DR.
The application deadline is September 22, 2011 for the following areas: Spirit Lake Nation, Barnes, Burleigh, McHenry, Morton, Ramsey, Renville, Richland and Ward Counties.
Brostrom encourages individuals who were living or working in any of the affected areas at the time of the flooding and whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to flooding to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance TODAY. The program can provide benefits for past periods of unemployment due to the flooding even if an individual has already returned to work.
“It’s important that individuals understand that Disaster Unemployment Assistance is separate from other disaster assistance and does not impact the amount of benefits available under other disaster programs. We don’t want eligible individuals to miss this opportunity.” Claims filed after the appropriate application deadline will be considered untimely and benefits will be denied unless individuals provide good cause for filing after this date.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to individuals (including self-employed business owners and farmers) who:
• Worked or were self-employed in or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, but were unable to do so because of the disaster,
• 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 work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income,
• Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state,
• Cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury resulting directly from the disaster,
• Have become the breadwinners or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household due to the disaster
• Cannot reach their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
The first possible week of Disaster Unemployment Assistance compensation is the week beginning February 20, 2011 and ending February 26, 2011. Benefit payments can continue through November 12, 2011 as long as an individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance weekly benefit amount is based on wages or self-employment income earned during calendar year 2010 and is determined by North Dakota unemployment insurance law.
To file a claim, individuals need their Social Security Number, a copy of their 2010 federal income tax forms, business financial statements, pay stubs/vouchers, trip tickets, crop elevator receipts/credits, bank receipts, a statement from their last employer affirming their employment at the time of the disaster, or a copy of a letter of hire. In addition, self-employed individuals and farmers need to include a copy of Schedule C, F, SE or K with Form 1040. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the claim was filed in order to receive benefits.
Individuals can file initial Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefit claims:
• Online at jobsnd.com
• By phone – Call Job Service at 701-328-1152, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• By mail or fax – Forms are located under the Disaster Unemployment link on jobsnd.com. Simply print, complete and return as indicated on the forms.
Job seekers can also contact their local Job Service office for reemployment assistance. Go to jobsnd.com to find the Job Service office nearest you.