The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced Wednesday that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers in Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk counties as a direct result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from Feb. 29, to March 2. The declaration number is FEMA-DR-4060.
“Disaster Unemployment brings some stability to those whose lives have been affected by these strong storms,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. “This type of unemployment assistance is available to the self-employed and others who are not ordinarily covered by the state unemployment insurance program.”
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the program on behalf of the federal government. Persons unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding must file their claim for DUA benefits within 30 days of this announcement.
If possible, individuals should have access to their 2011 income tax return, Social Security Number, and any documents with wage and employment information prior to the disaster.
Weekly DUA benefit amounts may range from $117 to $275 per week and are payable up to 26 weeks after the day of declaration, which was March 16, 2012. DUA benefits will end if unemployment is no longer the direct result of the disaster.
If your unemployment claim is a direct result of the disaster, do not file your unemployment claim by Internet to avoid delays.
Persons who are unemployed as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began February 29, 2012, who need to file a disaster related unemployment claim, may call866 331-1271, ext. 7599 when prompted, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays or report in person to one of the following TDLWD Career Centers:
Athens
410 Congress Parkway
Bristol
1712 West State Street
Chattanooga
5600 Brainerd Road, Suite A-5
Clarksville
Veterans Plaza, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 406
Columbia
119 Nashville Highway, Suite 106, Northway Shopping Ctr.
Cookeville
580 South Jefferson Ave., Suite A
Crossville
60 Ridley Street
Dyersburg
439 McGaughey Street
Gallatin
175 College Street
Humboldt
1481 Mullins Street
Jacksboro
1016 Main Street
Jackson
362 Carriage House Drive
Johnson City
2515 Wesley Street
Knoxville
1610 University Avenue
Lawrenceburg
702 Mahr Avenue
McMinnville
107 Lyon Street
Murfreesboro
1313 Old Fort Parkway
Nashville
2200 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. (previously Metro Center Blvd.)
Paris
1023 Mineral Wells Avenue, Suite F
Rogersville
1112 East Main Street
Talbott/Morristown
6057 W. Andrew Johnson Highway, Alpha Square, Suite A
Tullahoma
111 East Lincoln Street
The following Career Centers process walk-in unemployment claims from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:
Memphis - Mendenhall
5368 Mendenhall Mall
Memphis - Raleigh
2850 Austin Peay Hwy., Suite 132
Memphis - Poplar
1295 Poplar Avenue
Collierville
942 West Poplar, Suite 10
Somerville
121 West Court Square
Ripley
301C Lake Drive
Covington
724 East Lucky Plaza Hwy 51N
For updates, please check our agency’s website at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/ .