Those who worked in Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange and Tyler counties and were affected by Hurricane Rita can file an Unemployment Insurance claim online at www.texas workforce.org.
To file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, applicants must first file for Unemployment Insurance.
Workers calling the TWC Tele-Center network can do so at one of the numbers listed below during extended hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak with a representative or file a claim.
• Austin: (512) 340-4300.
• Dallas: (214) 252-1200.
• El Paso: (915) 832-6400.
• Fort Worth: (817) 420-1600.
• Houston: (281) 983-1100.
• McAllen: (956) 984-4700.
• San Antonio: (210) 258-6600.
• Others in Texas call toll free: (800) 939-6631.
To be eligible for help under Presidential Disaster Declaration, you must:
• Have worked or been scheduled to work in the disaster area, but because of the disaster no longer have a job, a place to work in the area or you could not get to your place of work because of disaster damage;
• Have been prevented from working by an injury or illness as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Have become the head of the household and need employment because the head of the household died as a result of the disaster.
Workers have until Nov. 30 to apply for DUA under Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Also, self-employed business owners are often not aware of potential benefits to which they may be entitled. If you are self-employed, but have lost all or part of your livelihood as a result of this disaster, you may also be eligible for benefits.
For information, call one of the toll-free numbers listed above.
