Katrina and Rita DUA Claims in La. Must be Filed by Nov. 30

Individuals who want to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita must file by the end of the day on Nov. 30, according to the Louisiana Department of Labor.

Previous notices about the deadline were published earlier this month.

Because of widespread devastation in southern Louisiana, individuals affected by both storms were given extra time to file DUA claims and provide supporting documentation. Normally, 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. Before an individual can be determined eligible for DUA, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).

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 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.

Claims may be filed several ways: in person at any LDOL One Stop or Job Center; online at www.LAWORKS.net; or by calling 1-800-430-8076 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.