Those who lost jobs because of the January citrus freeze have another four weeks to apply for special unemployment benefits.
The U.S. Department of Labor extended the application deadline to May 11 in response to requests from state and county officials.
The program is for those who are out of work because of the freeze. Eligibility is limited to those legally entitled to work in the United States but who are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits, either because they have exhausted them or are self-employed.
The program, called Disaster Unemployment Insurance, pays up to $450 a week for 26 weeks.
A total of 2,655 claims had been filed in Tulare County as of Friday.
Applications may be made online at www.edd.ca.gov or by calling (800) 300-5616 (English), (800) 326-8937 (Spanish) or (800) 815-9387 (TTY).
Assistance
Proteus Inc. says it has no more freeze-relief money left and stopped issuing emergency assistance Tuesday. As of Friday, Proteus had distributed more than $70,000 to help people with rent or mortgages since January.
FoodLink officials say they provided food to 17,782 people the week ending April 6. Housing assistance for the week ending Friday helped 158 families. Another 380 households got help with utilities payments.
Agriculture
Eight citrus-packing houses remain open full-time. Eleven are open part-time and 38 are closed.
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