Department of Workforce Development

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR
VICTIMS OF SUMMER STORM DAMAGE

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development announced today workers in three more Wisconsin counties hit hardest by summer storms and flooding may qualify for unemployment benefits. Those counties include: Columbia, Iowa and Waukesha. Previous announcements notified workers in Crawford, Dane, Grant, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland, Sauk, Vernon and Walworth counties that they may qualify for these special unemployment benefits.

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, in Columbia, Iowa, and Waukesha Counties have until August 28^th to apply for DUA benefits. Workers in Racine, Richland and Sauk Counties must apply for DUA benefits by August 21^st. The deadline for applications for workers in Crawford, Dane, Grant, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Vernon and Walworth Counties is 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 thirteen counties were all declared federal disaster areas, which makes the unemployment benefits available.

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