Georgians who became unemployed due to Debby, Helene may be eligible for disaster assistance

GEORGIA – Employees or self-employed Georgians who became unemployed due to Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene may be eligible to receive federal disaster unemployment assistance.

Glynn County officials said this assistance is a FEMA-funded, state-managed federal program that aims to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the president.

This program helps self-employed workers, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible under the state’s program.

The deadlines to apply depend on the disaster declaration dates:

For Tropical Storm Debby:

• Nov. 25 for residents in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven counties.

For Hurricane Helene:

• Dec. 2 for residents in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties.
• Dec. 3 for residents in Effingham, Elbert, Rabun and Tift counties.
• Dec. 6 for residents in Brantley, Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Dodge, Fulton, Glynn, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Newton, Thomas, Warren and Wayne counties.

Additional counties may be added at a later date, officials said.

Here’s how the application process works:

• To apply for disaster unemployment assistance, Georgians must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website or in person at any GDOL career center.
• Only those who are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance can be considered eligible for diaster unemployment assistance benefits.
• The Georgia Department of Labor will notify people if they are eligible for this assistance.
• Income verification may be required when applying for these benefits. People should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of the most recently completed income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.

According to officials, receiving this assistance does not affect a person’s ability to apply for or receive other FEMA assistance.

For additional information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance visit this website or call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 1-877-709-8185.