Floridians who lost their jobs earlier this month due to severe storms and flooding during Hurricane Matthew may be entitled to federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance under a recently-approved request for a major disaster declaration in Florida.
Earlier this week, the federal government approved a limited part of Gov. Rick Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for parts of Florida including Flagler, St. Johns, Volusia and Putnam counties which would allow these counties to use Disaster Unemployment Assistance funds for those affected by the storm.
These Northeast Florida counties were among those most heavily impacted during Hurricane Matthew, which hit Florida as a Category 4 and Category 3 storm earlier this month. The federal government has also approved Disaster Unemployment Assistance funds for those affected by Matthew in other states like North Carolina, where many counties are providing similar assistance.
Scott said he has spoken with individuals affected by the storm, which dumped inches of rain on parts of Florida, left many without power and caused millions of dollars in damage -- and counting -- around the state.
“We are committed to helping these communities fully recover from this devastating storm, and helping Floridians get back to work is one of the most important ways to do so,” Scott said. “Disaster Unemployment Assistance will provide necessary resources for individuals and families in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, but there are many areas along our east coast that still need the federal government’s support.”
Scott has called for the federal government to approve an entire major disaster declaration, which would cover a variety of assistance beyond individual unemployment assistance.
“I continue to urge President Obama to make these designations today so all of the communities impacted by Hurricane Matthew can begin the recovery process,” Scott said.
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, assists individuals who become unemployed as a direct result of a federally declared disaster and who do not qualify for regular reemployment assistance benefits.
The assistance program covers self-employed individuals, owners of farms and ranches, farm and ranch workers, as well as fishers and others who are not normally covered by state reemployment assistance benefits.
President Barack Obama signed portions of the major disaster declaration last week, but that portion of the declaration would only apply to debris removal and emergency protective measures affected by Hurricane Matthew.
“Some people lost their jobs as a result of the damage, and the Disaster Unemployment program will help serve as a bridge to help these families transition to a new job,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor. “After a disaster, we are committed to using all of our available resources to help Floridians and their communities recovery quickly.”
Not everyone would be eligible for the benefits. Individuals receiving assistance must have become unemployed as a result of the disaster or must have been unable to reach their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster. The affected parties must have been scheduled to begin work and do not have a job or are unable to reach the job because their head of household has died due to Matthew or they must be unable to work because of an injury caused by the storm.
In order to receive disaster benefits, applicants must file a request by Nov. 18 and must be legal U.S. residents who had been working or residing in Flagler, St. Johns, Volusia and Putnam counties.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
