The Department of Labor administers two major programs to respond to natural disasters - the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, and the National Emergency Grant (NEG) program.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

DUA provides up to 26 weeks of financial assistance to individuals impacted by a major disaster. Once the President of the United States has declared a major disaster, like Hurricane Katrina, individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster are eligible for assistance. To establish eligibility, an individual cannot be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).

DUA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered, under a delegation of authority for each state, by the U.S. Department of Labor. (See attachment for more detailed program information.)

Alabama's request for $3.2 million in DUA funds has been approved for claims expected to be filed mostly in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Louisiana has made a preliminary request for $1 million for DUA.

For state unemployment compensation or DUA claims individuals should contact:
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, 1-866-234-5382.
Louisiana Department of Labor is developing an 800#, information is currently available at www.LAWORKS.net.

National Emergency Grants (NEGs)

NEG funds are used to provide public assistance for areas declared a disaster by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These funds can be used to employ workers temporarily dislocated for clean up and repair work. This includes employing workers on projects that provide food, clothing, shelter, and other humanitarian assistance, as well as work related to demolition, renovation and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed public structures. (See attachment for more detailed program information.)

The Department of Labor has awarded Alabama $4 million in NEG funds to respond to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. The NEG application from Mississippi is currently being processed.

State NEG Contact Information:

• Alabama - Dr. Tim Alford, Director, Office of Workforce Development, Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs, (334) 353-1490
  
• Mississippi - Ms. Tommye Dale Favre, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Employment Services, as soon as a workable telephone number is available it will be posted.
  
• Louisiana - telephone number will be posted as soon as it is available.