FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2003

TEN MORE OKLAHOMA COUNTIES NOW ELIGIBLE FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) announced today that ten additional Oklahoma counties are now eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) following the tornadoes and storms on and around May 8, 2003. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) amended the major disaster declaration to include these additional areas battered by the storms, opening the door for qualified unemployed workers and unemployed self-employed individuals to receive DUA benefits.

Effective May 22, 2003, Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to the following counties:

•  CARTER

•  KAY

•  OKFUSKEE

•  PONTOTOC

•  TEXAS

•  DELAWARE

•  MUSKOGEE

•  OSAGE

•  ROGER MILLS

•  WASHINGTON

These counties are added to a list that already includes Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie Counties.

DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster, but who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Individuals living or working in these ten counties at the time of the disaster and who are unemployed as a direct result may be eligible for DUA. The first payable week for DUA related to this disaster is May 11, 2003.  For the ten additional counties, DUA applications will only be taken for a 30-day period ending on June 27, 2003. To file an application, contact your nearest Workforce Oklahoma office at (888) 840-9675.

Back | Top