RI Holding Final Disaster Unemployment Benefit Sessions

If you found yourself without a job after the historic RI floods hit, the state is holding a final sign up for disaster unemployment benefits…

FINAL DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE SESSIONS
 
WARWICK, R. I. – The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training will hold its final claims filing sessions for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in Providence, West Warwick
and Westerly.
 
Sessions will be held at:
 
netWORKri
One Reservoir Ave.
Providence, RI 02907
4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 4 through Thursday, May 6
 
netWORKri
 1330 Main St.
West Warwick, RI 02893
 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 4 through Thursday, May 6
 
South County Community Action Agency
(FEMA Disaster Recovery Center)
34 Pond St.
Westerly, RI 02891
8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, May 3 through Thursday, May 6
 
The deadline to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is May 6.
 
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally funded program for those who have become unemployed due to the severe storms and flooding between March 12 and April 12 and who would otherwise not be eligible for unemployment insurance. It differs from regular unemployment insurance benefits in that claims filing must be staff assisted.
 
 
Eligible claimants may include:
 

    * Those injured in the disaster and unable to work.
    * Those whose workplaces were damaged, destroyed or made inaccessible due to the disaster.
    * Those for whom transportation to work is unavailable.
    * Those whose transportation route is inaccessible due to the disaster and for whom other means of transportation are unavailable.
    * Those, such as self-employed workers who derive most of their income from areas affected by the disaster and have experienced a decline in business as a result of the disaster.

 
Those attending the special claims-filing sessions must bring the following information with them:

    * Social Security number
    * Driver's license or Rhode Island ID
    * Mailing address and zip code
    * Income tax for 2009 with profit and loss statement
    * Business license
    * Telephone number where the worker can be reached for additional information
    * Alien registration card, if applicable
    * Names and addresses of any other employers (in addition to self-employment) during the past 18 months.

 
Anyone in need of flood disaster assistance in addition to unemployment insurance benefits should register with FEMA at www.fema.gov, by 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585) for the speech and hearing impaired.