Iroquois and Livingston County Residents Should Apply Now For Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Release Date: March 17, 2008
Release Number: 1747-007

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Residents in the Illinois counties of Livingston and Iroquois who have been unable to work or lost their jobs or businesses as a result of the severe storms and flooding that began January 7th are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This assistance is available to individuals through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

DUA is available for up to 26 weeks for unemployed workers or self-employed individuals, that were employed, lived, or were to start a new job in the disaster area when the major disaster occurred.  The deadline to apply is April 11.

Sole proprietors, independent contractors, farmers and other residents not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits should contact their local IDES offices for more information:

Iroquois County: IDES Dislocated Workers Center KCC, 255 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901, (815) 932-0035

Livingston County: IDES Pontiac local office at 741 W. Washington, Suite-2, phone 815-842-2693 or IDES, 207 East Hamilton Road, Bloomington, IL, phone 309-827-6237.

Applicants for Disaster Unemployment Assistance should bring their Social Security number and if possible, pay stubs or any other documentation showing recent earnings and employment.

DUA eligibility does not impact registration for federal and state disaster assistance programs. Individuals are urged to register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those who are hearing or speech-impaired. You can also register online at www.fema.gov. FEMA operators are available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST seven days a week, until further notice.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Mar-2008 09:08:48