HARRISBURG, Pa. – If the recent storms and flooding associated with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee affected your income, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance; however, time is running out.

Filing deadlines is October 14, for several counties, including Monroe

You can apply by calling 1-877-345-3382 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Individuals needing text telephone (TTY) can call toll free 888-334-4046.

Have your Social Security number, earnings from your most recent tax year, and employment history available when you call.

To be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), individuals must:

• Not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance;
• Be unemployed as a direct result of the disaster;
• Be able and available for work, unless injured as a direct result of the disaster;
• File an application for DUA within 30 days of the date of the announcement of availability of DUA; and
• Have not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.

You must also have exhausted state unemployment eligibility and worked or lived in a designated county.

Benefits are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry through a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Disaster unemployment can extend for up to 26 weeks from the day the disaster is declared.