Ohio Gov. Notes Residents Can Receive Assistance Following Storms, Floods and Mudslides

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft announced that Ohioans affected by substantial damage from severe winter storms, floods and mudslides occurring between Dec. 22, 2004 and Feb. 1 in Athens, Belmont, Clark, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Logan, Morgan, Muskingum, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Warren and Washington counties are eligible for additional assistance through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The additional assistance follows President George W. Bush’s Feb. 15 declaration of a federal disaster for the 18 counties.

“I am pleased that this additional assistance is available to help families recover from the severe weather, and I thank President Bush for his support of Ohioans who have been seriously affected by the severe storms,” said Taft.

Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation is broadened under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program to include people who, as a result of the disaster: no longer have a job; are unable to reach their place of employment; were to have started new employment but cannot; have become the major supporter for a household because the head of household died in the disaster; or cannot work because of injury. Self-employed individuals and farmers who are not covered by unemployment insurance may also be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits. Individuals who have exhausted unemployment eligibility may also qualify for these benefits.

Applications for these benefits may be filed by calling the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services toll-free at 1-877-644-6562 (877-OHIO-JOB) from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Applicants should be prepared to provide a Social Security number and driver license or state ID number and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all employers within the last 18 months. Individuals in these counties must apply by March 18.

Individuals may also be eligible for other federal programs, such as crisis counseling, disaster legal services or extraordinary agricultural expenses.