Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available in a number of states affected by recent storms, tornadoes and flooding. Persons who have temporarily lost their jobs directly because of a disaster and who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may be eligible for DUA. Normally, DUA benefits can be payable for up to 26 weeks or until workers are able to return to their jobs. An employer's target date to reopen for business is usually monitored by the unemployment agency. Employers should not be charged for any benefits paid under the DUA, since it is a federally funded program allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund.

Presidential Disaster Declarations have been made in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Below is information on Oklahoma:

Oklahoma:
Currently, there is a Disaster Declaration in Atoka County. Workers have until the close of business on May 26, 2011, to apply for DUA by contacting the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission UI Service Center at 1-800-555-1554, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Individuals should be prepared to provide their Social Security number, and the name and address of their last employer. Certain criteria will be considered in determining DUA eligibility. To learn more, visit The OESC News Release.

Resources:
As tornado season continues, additional information may be found on the website for each impacted state, either under "News/Press Releases" or a special DUA link on the homepage: