March 29, 2024
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Labor Department offers flood assistance

AUGUSTA – News of more assistance for those affected by the recent flooding in the state was released Wednesday afternoon.

The state Department of Labor announced that the federal government is making Disaster Unemployment Assistance available as a result of the recent severe storms and flooding in Aroostook County.

The assistance is geared toward providing temporary partial income replacement to people whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for any other unemployment insurance program. Individuals who, because of the storms and flooding that occurred in Aroostook County, were prevented from starting a new job or self-employment or who are no longer working normal hours because of this disaster also may qualify for DUA assistance. Additionally, assistance may be payable to people who cannot work because of an injury caused by this disaster.

DUA in Aroostook County will cover unemployment directly resulting from the disaster for up to 26 weeks starting Sunday, May 4, through Saturday, Nov. 8, but does not cover unemployment that may have taken place before May 4.

To be eligible for ongoing weekly DUA benefits, a person must continue to be unemployed as a direct result of the flooding disaster that occurred in Aroostook County. All initial applications for DUA must be filed within 30 days of this announcement, and no later than June 13, 2008.

Area CareerCenters are available to help workers find new employment if necessary. For information on CareerCenter services, call 888-457-8883, TTY: 800-794-1110.

DUA claims are taken over the telephone. To file a claim for DUA or for questions, call 800-593-7660, TTY: 888-457-8884.

A mobile Disaster Recovery Center will be traveling through disaster-affected communities in Aroostook County to assist individuals and business owners affected by the flooding that occurred beginning April 28.

Those affected are encouraged to register for assistance by calling toll-free 800-621-3362, TTY: 800-462-7585, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week, or registering online at www.fema.gov. Registration also is available at the recovery center if needed.

The mobile Disaster Recovery Center will operate 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for two days at these locations:

. Island Falls, May 15-16, Island Falls municipal building, 68 Houlton Road.

. Masardis, May 17 and 19, Masardis municipal building, 26 School St.

. Washburn, May 20-21, Washburn Civic Center, 1287 Main St.

. Portage Lake, May 22-23, Portage Lake municipal building, 20 School St.

Disaster Recovery Centers will be staffed by recovery specialists who are available to assist applicants with follow-up questions. Representatives from FEMA, MEMA, voluntary agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand. In addition, materials on assistance programs and mitigation plans outlining how to reduce damage from future disasters also will be made available.

Two fixed-site Disaster Recovery Centers continue operations 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

. Fort Kent Municipal Center, 416 West Main St.

. Van Buren Community Center, 130 Champlain St.


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