Tennessee residents in eight counties affected by Tropical Storm Helene can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance if their work was disrupted starting September 26. The counties are Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Applications are open until January 7, 2025, and started on Wednesday, at 6:00 p.m. CST, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for those who lost work due to a disaster, including individuals not normally eligible for unemployment benefits. It also covers people injured in the disaster or those who became the primary income earner due to a disaster-related death. To apply, visit Jobs4TN.gov or call 1-877-813-0950 on Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Be sure to specify that your job loss is disaster-related when applying to ensure a smoother process, as reported by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Claimants must submit all required documentation within 21 days of applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. This includes providing a Social Security number, recent federal income tax form or paycheck stubs, and proof of employment or self-employment during the disaster. Documents can be mailed or faxed to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as stated by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
