Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available......

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available
as a Result of Hurricane Sandy

RICHMOND- Individuals unable to work as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Sandy that occurred in Accomack County on October 26 through November 8, 2012, may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance.

 Self-employed and unemployed workers that live or work in Accomack County who are not covered by regular state unemployment insurance programs may be eligible for this assistance under the major disaster declaration announced by President Obama on November 26, 2012. Under this program, benefits of up to $378 per week may be paid to eligible individuals until they are able to return to work.
Disaster unemployment assistance covers those who:

• are unable to work because their place of employment was put out of operation or they were unable to travel to their workplace due to the effects of the hurricane damage;
• are self-employed, but are prevented from working due to the effects of the hurricane damage;
• have become the breadwinner or major support of a household because the head of the household died as a result of the hurricane; or
• cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the hurricane.

Anyone interested in filing for disaster unemployment assistance should visit the nearest Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) local office on or before the filing deadline of Monday, February 4, 2013. The VEC office on the Eastern Shore is located at 25036 Lankford Highway, Unit 16, Onley, Virginia 23418.

Applicants should have their Social Security number and, if possible, documentation showing earnings for the year 2011.
For further information, contact C. B. Pierce at the VEC at (804) 786-1883 or Bob Spieldenner at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at (804) 897-6510.
 Click here for the official Press Release