NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended Disaster Unemployment Assistance for eight Tennessee counties. These counties were impacted by severe rainfall and flash flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene, as declared in the Federal Disaster Declaration FEMA DR-4832.

The deadline for applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended for individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by severe rainfall and flash flooding beginning on September 26, 2024, in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

The disaster period starts on September 29, 2024, and ends on April 5, 2025.

Applications from individuals who live in, work in, or travel through these counties must be submitted by January 7, 2025. They may start filing those applications at 6:00 p.m. CST on December 18, 2024.

The following counties are included in the disaster declaration and amendments:

• Carter County
• Cocke County
• Greene County
• Hamblen County
• Hawkins County
• Johnson County
• Unicoi County
• Washington County

DUA, which is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster, is only available to individuals who:

• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
• Worked, self-employed, or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.

Individuals can apply for DUA at Jobs4TN.gov or by calling 1-877-813-0950 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST. Individuals filing online should specify on their applications that they were impacted by a disaster.

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes a Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or paycheck stubs, and documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.

Applicants must mail or fax all required documentation within 21 days from the date of the DUA application. Documents can be mailed to 220 French Landing, Nashville TN 37243, or faxed to 615-253-7584.

Job seekers may visit local American Job Centers for access to job-search resources, job postings, and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, resume and application preparation, career development, and more. Job seekers can connect with potential employers by searching thousands of open positions on Jobs4TN.