DUA FILING DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR

The Louisiana Department of Labor (www.LAWORKS.net) reported that time is running out for individuals who are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assis-tance (DUA) as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The deadline to file is Nov. 30.

Because of the widespread devastation to homes and businesses individuals affected by both storms were given additional time to file DUA claims and provide supporting documentation. Under normal circumstances, applications for disaster unemployment benefits must be filed within 30 days of a disaster declaration and supporting paperwork must be received no later than 21 days after the application is filed.

DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

Individuals living or working in the following 31 parishes are eligible to file for DUA as a result of Hurricane Katrina: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Point Coupee, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

The federal government has designated the following 23 parishes as eligible for disaster unemployment benefits in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, and West Baton Rouge.