FEMA and disaster unemployment assistance available for Brunswick County residents

Bolivia, NC (WWAY) -Brunswick County has been added to FEMA’s Hurricane Matthew disaster declaration as an Individual Assistance County.

That means, if you live in Brunswick County and have damage from Hurricane Matthew you can apply to FEMA and potentially receive assistance.

You can register and apply for assistance by contacting FEMA directly online or by calling 1 (800) 621-3362.

The Division of Employment Security also approved Brunswick County for Disaster Unemployment Assistance because of Hurricane Matthew.

If you were affected by the disaster and are unable to continue working you must file an application for benefits by December 1.

Workers or business owners meeting the following criteria may be eligible for benefits:

• Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster, and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits. If you are eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits, you must      first exhaust those benefits before you are eligible for DUA.
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
• Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
• Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury of the previous major supplier of household income.
• Individuals who are unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
• Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment but were prevented from doing so by the disaster.

DUA is available for weeks of employment beginning with the week starting October 9, 2016, and lasting for up to 26 weeks, as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

To apply, call 1 (866) 795-8877.