More Help For Unemployed in Storm Damage Counties
37 Additional Counties Get
Emergency UC Insurance
MADISON (July 8, 2004) – Governor Jim Doyle announced that victims of the severe storms and flooding since May 19, 2004 in 37 additional counties are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The thrity-seven counties just announced are in addition to the 7 counties (Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Ozaukee, and Winnebago) previously announced.
The new counties added are Adams, Brown, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dane, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Marathon, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood.
“We are happy that assistance can be offered to the workers and their families in these counties that have suffered extensive storm damage," Governor Doyle said. " Wisconsin workers can use this federal assistance to temporarily replace their lost income until they get back to work."
People who live or work in those counties may be eligible for DUA if they, as a direct result of the storms and flooding, became unemployed or partially unemployed, were unable to reach their place of employment, or lost work because of an injury and are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. DUA provides benefits for those who lost employment because of the disaster, but does not pay for damage to homes, businesses, or lost crops. Other federal programs may help cover these losses.
Individuals who became the major supporter of a household because the head of the household died as a result of the storms and flooding are also potentially eligible for DUA benefits. Benefits are based on a person's earnings for the most recent tax year. As a result, claim applicants will be asked to furnish earnings data from their 2003 federal tax returns. Unemployment benefits can range from $126 to $329 per week and the first potential week payable for DUA benefits is May 23, 2004 through May 29, 2004.
Workers in these thirty-seven additional counties, including those who are self-employed on a farm or other business must apply for benefits by August 7, 2004. Applications can be filed by calling the Unemployment Insurance Division in Madison at (608) 232-0678, in Milwaukee at (414) 438-7700 and toll free at 1-800 822-5246. A special (TTY) number for the hearing impaired is also available at 1-888-393-8914.
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