Senator Fuschillo: Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance Application Deadline Extended

Residents Now Have Until February 4th to Apply

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is informing residents affected by Hurricane Sandy that the deadline to apply for federal disaster unemployment assistance has been extended. Residents now have until February 4, 2013 to apply for the benefit, which is available to provide support to anyone who cannot work as a result of the storm and lives or works on Long Island, New York City or Westchester and Rockland Counties.

     The assistance supplements New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and expands eligibility to include individuals who might not otherwise be covered. Individuals can collect disaster unemployment assistance in cases such as:

     • Injured in the disaster and unable to work, whether they are an employee or self-employed.

     • Workplace is damaged, or destroyed, or they cannot work because of the disaster.

     • Transportation to work is not available because of the disaster.

     • Cannot get to work because they must travel through the affected area, which is impossible due to disaster.

     • Planned to begin working, but cannot because of the disaster.

     • Derived most of their income from areas affected by the disaster, and business is closed or inoperable because of the disaster.

     Self-employed individuals include small business owners, independent taxi drivers, vendors, and independent commercial fisherman.

     These examples are not exhaustive, and if someone is uncertain about eligibility, he or she is encouraged to file an application with the Department of Labor. All applicants will be required to submit wage information and documentation supporting their application.

     Individuals who cannot work because of Hurricane Sandy can apply for disaster unemployment assistance or unemployment benefits by calling the New York State Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8124. Applicants should answer the questions to indicate they lost their job due to Hurricane Sandy. In order to receive benefits, residents must apply by February 4th.