State Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said today that workers in four additional Georgia counties may now be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for income lost directly resulting from Hurricane Helene, which affected the areas beginning September 24, 2024, and continuing. The newly added counties are Effingham, Elbert, Rabun, and Tift.

The complete list of counties declared as affected by Hurricane Helene are Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, and Wheeler.

"Many Georgians are still without basic utilities and have suffered significant income loss in the wake of Hurricane Helene," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits provide critical financial support as our communities come together to recover and rebuild, helping individuals and families regain a sense of stability and hope for the future."

DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. It differs from regular state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible under the state’s program.

Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024.  Individuals in the authorized counties directly affected by Hurricane Helene must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any GDOL career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are eligible to file for DUA.  Eligible claimants in the newly added counties of Effingham, Elbert, Rabun, and Tift must apply for DUA no later than Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Income verification may be required when applying for DUA benefits.  Applicants 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.

DUA benefits may also be available to individuals who become the breadwinner or who provide major financial support for a household because the head of the household died as a direct result of Hurricane Helene.  Individuals applying for benefits under such circumstances must present proof of the head of household's death, such as a death certificate or affidavit.

While applications may be filed in person at any GDOL career center, individuals are encouraged to apply on the GDOL website at dol.georgia.gov. For additional information on DUA and the GDOL career center locations, visit dol.georgia.gov or call the GDOL toll-free customer service line at 1-877-709-8185.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Director of Communications, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/email-us. For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.