INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Residents whose employment or self employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Irma are now available for unemployment assistance.
President Donald J. Trump granted a major disaster declaration for several counties, including Indian River, according to the Emergency Services Department. Residents must file the Disaster Unemployment Assistance applications by Oct. 13.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to those who:
- Worked, were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
- Are not able to work or perform services because of physical damage of destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster;
- Can establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their principal source of income;
- Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state;
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
- Became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household because of the death of the head of household
Applications completed after deadline will be considered untimely and benefits may be denied, unless the resident provides. Applicants must submit their social security number, check stubs and documentation to support their claim.
All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the application is completed to receive benefits. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available from weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 10, 2017, through March 17, 2018, as long as the resident’s unemployment continues to be a result of the hurricane.
Those interested in filing a claim should visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity site or call 1-800-385-3920.