Storm-affected areas have until Oct. 6 to apply for jobless aid

Residents of Lafourche, Terre-bonne and St. Mary parishes whose jobs were lost or interrupted due to hurricanes Gustav or Ike can still apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from the state.

The deadline is Monday, Oct. 6, for Hurricane Gustav-related claims and Tuesday, Oct. 14, for Hurricane Ike-related claims.

The assistance may be potentially available to fishermen and shrimpers, according to Katherine Gilbert with the Terrebonne Eco-nomic Development Authority.

Residents need to file separate claims for each storm.

To be eligible, applicants must not be able to work because of hurricane damage suffered at their place of employment. Applicants also cannot be receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits and the job had to have provided their primary source of income.

Proof of employment must be received by the state within 21 days of filing the claim. Self-employed residents must furnish income tax returns for 2007.

Hurricane Gustav-affected residents can receive benefits up to March 7, 2009. Hurricane Ike-affected claimants can receive assistance through March 14, 2009.

The Louisiana Workforce Com-mission emphasized that suffering property damage from the hurricanes does not qualify residents for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

To file claims, visit laworks.net or call 1-866-259-6345 or 1-800-957-1605.