Baton Rouge – The 13-week extension of disaster unemployment benefits approved by President Bush in March is set to expire soon, the Labor Department announced today. Unemployment benefits paid through the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program will end Saturday, June 3 for Katrina claimants and June 24 for Rita claimants.
At the time of the extension about 92,000 people who lost their jobs as a direct result of either storm were deemed eligible for continued benefits.
The DUA extension period for Katrina-related claims began March 5 ending June 3; for Rita the benefit period began March 26 and ends June 24.
Currently, about 72,000 people in Louisiana are still receiving disaster unemployment assistance. Weekly DUA payments range from $98 to $258.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides unemployment insurance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster; and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).
The labor department urges individuals to seek job placement assistance or occupational training through its statewide network of Job Centers and Career One-Stops. The department has received federal funding to provide training programs in a number of industries including healthcare, transportation, and construction.
The department has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system, and others, to provide tuition-free, short-term job training in a variety of good-paying careers.
The labor department encourages businesses and jobseekers to go to the Job Center nearest them or visit its Web site at www.LAWORKS.net. Employers can place job orders and review résumés posted on the Web site. Jobseekers can find a list of job fairs and information on employers looking for workers.
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