Senator Fuschillo Reminds Residents That Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance Is Available

Residents Who Work or Live on Long Island, New York City, or Westchester and Rockland Counties Can Apply

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is reminding residents that federal disaster unemployment assistance is available to those who are now unemployed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Disaster unemployment benefits are available to provide support to anyone who lost their job or income as a result of the storm and live or work on Long Island, New York City or Westchester and Rockland Counties.

     Anyone who is unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately eligible to submit a claim to the Department of Labor. Specifically, an individual can collect disaster unemployment assistance in any of the following cases:

     • 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.

     Individuals who have lost their job or income 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 December 3, 2012.