The Texas Workforce Commission announced Wednesday that workers and self-employed individuals who either lost or were unable to perform their jobs due to the winter shutdown could be eligible for disaster pay.
Under a presidential disaster declaration issued Feb. 19, some workers are eligible for the funding but must submit an application to the commission.
Counties covered by the possible disaster jobless pay total 108 in Texas, including Cameron and Hidalgo counties.
To qualify for DUA funds, eligible workers must:
Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Extended Benefits (EB), from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household, or were unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
Required documentation includes a Social Security number and documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred or were about to start work or self-employment and could not do so due to the disaster.
Texas workers who believe they qualify and are residents of a county covered by the disaster declaration can apply online at the Unemployment Benefit Services on the TWC website or by calling a TWC Tele-Center between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week at 800-939-6631. The deadline for applications is March 26.
