FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2003

DEADLINE FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE IN SIX MORE OKLAHOMA COUNTIES DRAWS NEAR

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is reminding Oklahomans that the deadline to take advantage of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for residents in six Oklahoma counties is looming. Following the severe storms 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 13, 2003, Disaster Unemployment Assistance was made available to the following counties:

Other counties included in the disaster area are 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 benefits. Individuals living or working in the previously-mentioned six counties who were unemployed between May 8, 2003 and May 30, 2003 as a direct result of the storms 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 through July 13, 2003. To file an application, contact your nearest Workforce Oklahoma office at (888) 840-9675.

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