State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said that workers in seven Georgia counties may now be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for income lost Oct. 4-15 as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew.

The affected counties are Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne. Presently, these are the only counties authorized for DUA benefits.

“The heavy damage that results from natural disasters often forces businesses to close for repairs, leaving owners and employees without incomes,” said Butler. “These federal unemployment benefits help provide a financial bridge until their incomes resume.”

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 $330 beginning the week of Oct. 9.

Individuals in the authorized counties who were directly affected by Matthew must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov, or in-person at any GDOL career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are also eligible to file for DUA. Eligible claimants must apply for DUA no later than Friday, Nov. 18.

When applying for DUA benefits, verification of income may be required. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of most recent completed income tax returns, copies of 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 household died as a direct result of the hurricane. Individuals applying for benefits under such circumstances must present proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit.

While applications may be filed at any GDOL career center, those in the seven-county-disaster area are the Brunswick Career Center, 2517 Tara Lane, (912) 264-7244; Savannah Career Center, 5520 White Bluff Road, (912) 356-2773 and Statesboro Career Center, 62 Packinghouse Road, (912) 681-5156. To find the locations of other career centers, visit dol.georgia.gov.