Unemployment Assistance for Hurricane Survivors

The City of New Orleans has just laid off thousands of its employees without severance or other direct unemployment assistance. If you are one of the affected people you can file for unemployment. If you need some assistance below are some tips to get you started.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are working together in effort to help the Gulf Coast communities in speeding up response efforts and getting people back on their feet. Find out more information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security here.

The following income and job assistance is supported by the Department of Labor:

• "Pathways to Employment" Initiative - This helps evacuees and other hurricane survivors find jobs and training opportunities. It provides assistance to people's specific needs through a nationwide network of 3,500 Career Centers spread out all over the country.
   
• Unemployment Insurance (UI) - This is a federal-State program that provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers that are unemployed because of this disaster. Visit http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/map.asp for more information. For those who reside in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, as well as those who have evacuated to other states can find information on who to file a claim for unemployment insurance in:
  
  • Texas, 1-800-939-6631. Job placement, Texas Workforce Commission's Web site or call 1-800-735-2988
  • Louisiana, http://www.lawworks.net or 1-800-430-8076. Previous customers call 1-866-783-5567.
  • Mississippi, visit the office of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security or call 1-888-844-3577. To find the sites that are currently available please visit http://mdes.ms.gov/wps/portal/.
  • Florida, 1-866-352-2345.
  • Alabama, 1-866-234-5382
  
   
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) - For those that were just employed or self employed and may not be eligible for unemployment insurance. DUA might be of help to you. For more information call 1-866-4-USA-DOL.
  
  • Texas, 1-800-939-6631. Job placement information- Texas Workforce Commission's Web site or 1-800-735-2988.
  • Louisiana, http://www.laworks.net, or 1-800-430-8076. Previous claimants should call 1-866-783-5567.
  • Mississippi, 1-888-844-3577 or visit a Mississippi Department of Employment Security office. To find a site open near you go to http://mdes.ms.gov/wps/portal.
  • Alabama, 1-866-234-5382
  
   
• General questions about UI and DUA are answered at 1-800-361-4524.
   
• Hurricane Recovery Job Connection- This service helps workers that have been impacted by the recent hurricanes with employers who want to hire them. This service also supports the hiring process associated with clean up efforts in the impacted areas. For more information please visit http://www.jobsearch.org/katrinajobs.
   
• President's High Growth Job Training Initiative- $12 million in grants has been issued to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas in effort to train workers for jobs related to the economic recovery of the Gulf region. This money is provided to train workers in construction, energy, health care, transportation, and safety measures.
   
• National Emergency Grants (NEGs)- NEG funds can be used temporarily to employ dislocated workers. Workers can help with projects that deal with food, clothing, shelter, and other assistance needed for disaster victims.
   
• Employee Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits- The Employee Benefits Security Administration protects more than 6.7 million programs related to retirement, health and benefit programs which is sponsored by private sector employers nationwide. The agency provides workers and employers relief through the following:
  
  • U.S. Labor Department has extended annual report Deadlines due to hurricane Rita
  • Further extensions have been made for deadlines for the Form 5500 filings in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
  • Extensions have been made for deadlines for Form 5500 filings in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi
  • Hardship 401(k) loans and withdrawals
  • COBRA, HIPAA and Health Claim have made extensions
  • Fact Sheet: Extensions have been made for time frames in help plans and individuals
  
   
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration- OSHA has made technical assistance and resources available in effort to protect those participating in clean up and recovery assistance.
   
• Employment Standards Administration- ESA has easily available instructions for claimants under the Federal Employee's Compensation Act for the affected community.