In the wake of the Fourth of July severe storms and flooding, Governor Greg Abbott, together with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), has issued a call to action for Texans affected by the disaster. The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is rapidly approaching on September 4, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor. The DUA offers financial aid for individuals whose employment was put on hold due to the catastrophic events brought on by the severe weather.
As stated by Governor Abbott, "Texans who lost their jobs or had their work disrupted by the catastrophic Fourth of July floods should know that recovery resources remain available to them." He emphasized that the financial support served as a critical lifeline for families working on recovery and rebuilding efforts. The DUA aims to assist residents in the designated disaster zones, including counties like Burnet and Travis, where individuals may find themselves unable to fulfill their employment duties following the storms.
Eligibility criteria for DUA benefits stipulate that applicants must have exhausted all regular unemployment benefits or otherwise be ineligible for them. They must have been employed or self-employed in the disaster area, and now, are unable to continue due to direct damage sustained from the storms. A comprehensive list of eligibility requirements can be found on the TWC website or by contacting them directly at (800) 939-6631.
Applicants must act swiftly to submit all necessary documentation within 21 days of filing for DUA benefits, which includes proof of employment or self-employment at the time of the disaster. Missing the submission deadline, TWC will be forced to halt any payments, leaving applicants responsible for reimbursing any benefits received. For the quickest processing, the TWC suggests using their online UI Submission Portal and selecting "DUA Proof of Employment at Time of Disaster" from the dropdown menu provided.
Further support beyond the DUA is available through local Workforce Solutions offices, as Governor Abbott's office urges impacted Texans to utilize these resources. Services range from job search assistance, résumé prep to training programs. Moreover, job seekers can take advantage of TWC's online job-search engine at WorkinTexas.com, which connects them with potential employers. Texans are also encouraged by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to report any damage using the online Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT), which helps officials gauge the need for additional federal assistance like DUA.
