Florida Governor Rick Scott said Wednesday that residents will have a month to file a request for disaster benefits by Nov. 18, 2016.
Applicants must be legal U.S. residents and must have been working in or residing in Flagler, St. Johns, Volusia and Putnam counties.
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Governor Rick Scott announced that Floridians who have lost jobs as a result of severe storms and flooding during Hurricane Matthew may be entitled to federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
The program also covers self-employed individuals, owners of farms and ranches, farm and ranch workers, as well as fishers and others who are not normally covered by state reemployment assistance benefits.
On October 17, 2016, the federal government approved a limited part of Governor Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for Flagler, St. John, Volusia and Putnam counties, allowing the use of Disaster Unemployment Assistance funds for individuals affected by the storm. Gov. Scott is continuing to urge President Obama to approve the remaining counties that were impacted by the storm.
“I have spoken firsthand with many families and business owners who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew. We are committed to helping these communities fully recover from this devastating storm, and helping Floridians get back to work is one of the most important ways to do so. Disaster Unemployment Assistance will provide necessary resources for individuals and families in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, but there are many areas along our east coast that still need the federal government’s support. I continue to urge President Obama to make these designations today so all of the communities impacted by Hurricane Matthew can begin the recovery process.”
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available in seven Georgia counties in wake of Hurricane Matthew:
The affected counties are Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne. Presently, these are the only counties authorized for DUA benefits.
Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $330 beginning the week of Oct. 9.