Department of Workforce Development

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR
VICTIMS OF SUMMER STORM DAMAGE

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development announced today workers in seven Wisconsin counties hit hardest by summer storms and flooding may qualify for unemployment benefits. Those counties include: Crawford, Dane, Grant, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Vernon and Walworth.

Those who are eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) include people who as a direct result of the flooding lost work and wages, were unable to reach their place of employment, lost work because of an injury, or became the major support of a household because the head of the household died as a result of the storm.

"This is a critical safety net for Wisconsin workers hit hardest by the unpredictability of Mother Nature," said Department of Workforce Development Secretary Linda Stewart. "These benefits will help workers recover some of the losses of the spring and summer storms."

DUA benefits are based on a person’s earnings for the most recent tax year. As a result, applicants will be asked to furnish earnings data from their 1999 federal tax return when filing a claim. The unemployment benefit can range from $114 to $305 per week.

Workers, including those who are self-employed on a farm or other business, must apply for DUA benefits by August 18^th. Applications can be filed by telephone by calling the state Unemployment Division in Madison at (608)232-0678, in Milwaukee at (414)438-7700 and toll free at (800)822-5246. A special (TTY) number for the hearing impaired is also available at (888)393-8914.

Heavy storms rolled through Wisconsin at various times during late May through early July. The seven counties were all declared federal disaster areas, which makes the unemployment benefits available.

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