State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the application deadlines to file initial claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits to compensate for loss of income, directly resulting from the severe storms which occurred April 27-28 is rapidly approaching for all counties affected in Georgia.

Workers in Bartow, Catoosa, Coweta, Dade, Floyd, Greene, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Spalding, Troup and Walker counties have until Wednesday, June 1, to file initial DUA claims. Thursday, June 2, is the deadline for workers in Gordon, Harris, Heard and Lumpkin counties to file, while workers in Cherokee, Habersham, Newton, Upson and White counties have until Friday, June 3.

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. These benefits will help compensate for loss of income, directly resulting from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and associated flooding which struck the area beginning April 27 and continuing through April 28. 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.

In applying for benefits, an applicant will need a social security number. Self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide information related to their previous year’s earnings, such as income tax forms or quarterly estimated income tax records.

Under certain circumstances, DUA benefits also may be available to family members who become the primary breadwinners of households where the head of that household died as a direct result of the disaster. Proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit, should be presented at the time the claim is filed.

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.