FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2003

SIX MORE OKLAHOMA COUNTIES QUALIFY FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) announced today that six additional Oklahoma counties are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) following the tornadoes and storms that occurred on and around May 8, 2003. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) amended the major disaster declaration to include these additional areas, opening the door for qualified unemployed workers and unemployed self-employed individuals to receive DUA benefits. The incident period for this assistance is May 8, 2003 to May 30, 2003.

Effective June 3, 2003, Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to the following counties:

These counties join a list that already includes Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Delaware, Grady, Kay, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Osage, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Texas and Washington 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 six counties who were unemployed between May 8, 2003 and May 30, 2003 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 six additional counties, DUA applications will be taken for a 30-day period ending on July 13, 2003. To file an application, contact your nearest Workforce Oklahoma office at (888) 840-9675.

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