Storm victims in 16 Kentucky counties now have until January 28 to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, in what’s been a granted extension for the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.
The agency received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor Friday to extend the deadline, as individuals impacted by the December 10 & 11 storms still have considerable needs.
Those 16 counties include: Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren.
Those eligible to apply include individuals who became unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes. Those who are self-employed and had work interrupted in any of those counties as a result of the storms are also eligible to apply for DUA.
Following Governor Andy Beshear’s request, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration on December 12 that led to 14 Kentucky counties becoming eligible for assistance, with Barren and Marion becoming eligible later.
Beshear signed an Executive Order on December 28 temporarily suspending the work search requirement and the waiting week period for unemployment insurance (UI) and DUA claimants.
Those who work or live in the FEMA major disaster declaration will not be required to search for work or wait for benefits for their first eligible week. That only includes claims that began on or after Dec. 10 and only in those counties.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in those eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster, and that they are not otherwise eligible for traditional unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law.
Farmers and other self-employed individuals who are traditionally ineligible for UI benefits may qualify for DUA.
The federal program requires individuals to provide a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID to receive DUA benefits. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
Beshear has directed that the cost be waived for replacement driver’s licenses and state IDs for those affected by the storms, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has set up temporary locations in the impacted region.
Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website, kcc.ky.gov, or call (502) 875-0442 to file their initial claim.
