ATLANTA – The filing deadline for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for victims of Hurricane Helene has been extended to Feb. 7, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday.
DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted by a disaster declared by the president. It differs from regular state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to Georgians who aren’t eligible under the state’s program. That includes the self-employed, farmers, loggers, and workers who are paid by commission.
Hurricane Helene rampaged through South Georgia and north through the Augusta area in late September, killing 34 Georgians and causing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding as well as extensive power outages.
Gov. Brian Kemp said last month that he will propose a state disaster relief package early in this year’s legislative session for those who suffered losses due to Helene. Lawmakers will convene under the Gold Dome Jan. 13 to begin the 2025 General Assembly session.
Georgia counties affected by Helene include Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilkes.
Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of up to $365 retroactive to the week of Sept. 29. Eligible individuals must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the state Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at one of the agency’s career centers.
Income verification may be required when applying for DUA benefits. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of the most recently completed tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.