Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Approaches For Workers Impacted By The Fairbanks Earthquake

Dec. 19, 2002
No. 02-72

December 26, 2002 is the last day for those who lost work due to the Fairbanks earthquake to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Bill Kramer, Unemployment Insurance Director reminded affected individuals in the disaster area (see listed communities below). DUA is available to residents and workers in the Alaska Gateway and Copper River Regional Educational Assistance Areas, who lost work due to the November 3, 2002 earthquake.

The communities affected are: Eagle Village, Eagle, Northway, Northway Junction, Northway Village, Tanacross, Tetlin, Tok, Alcan, Dot Lake, Chicken, Mentasta, Boundary, Slana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Copperville, Gakona, Glennallen, Gulkona, Kenny Lake, McCarthy, Paxson, Tonsina, Tazlina, Mendeltna/Nelchina, Chisana, Nabesna and Tolsona.

DUA is a federal program that provides financial assistance to workers, including self-employed workers, who became unemployed as a direct result of the earthquake.

Disaster unemployment benefits will be based on an individual�s 2001 earnings. The benefit amount can range from $97 to $248 per week, plus $24 for each dependent (up to three). DUA benefits are not payable to individuals who qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Individuals interested in applying for assistance may call the DUA unit at 1-800-590-5941 by 5:00 PM December 26, 2002.

###