Hurricane Ike relief fund

[mommybdj]

I was scanning over the newspaper here and saw this. I hope that this can help someone.

Texans whose jobs were lost or interrupted because of Hurricane Ike are eligible for special disaster unemployment assistance, according to a notice today from the Texas Workforce Commission. That includes people who are self-employed.
The payments, which range from a minimum of $57 a week to a maximum of $378 a week depending on past earning history, are a result of the presidential disaster declaration, according to the state.
It's possible for someone to be eligible for disaster benefits for up to 65 weeks if they hadn't claimed benefits in the past year, said agency spokeswoman Ann Hatchitt.
Individuals who were unemployed at the time of the hurricane and receiving unemployment benefits are also eligible for the extended disaster-related benefits, she said.
Applications must be filed by Oct. 15.
Workers in 29 counties are eligible: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington.
Disaster unemployment payments are available to those who:
• were working or were self-employed or who were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
• can no longer work or perform services because of hurricane damage to the workplace;
• can establish that their work or self-employment was their primary source of income;
• don't qualify for regular jobless benefits from another state;
• can't work because of an hurricane injury;
• became the breadwinner or major supporter of a family because the head of the household died.
To file for benefits — and agency officials stressed they prefer on-line applications — individuals need the following:
• their Social Security number;
• a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs;
• documentation supporting they were working or self-employed at the time of the hurricane.
To file an application, log on to Welcome to the Texas Workforce Commission. or call the commission's call center during business hours at (800) 939-6631.

[JANE4girls]

thanks for the information. we have 3 people staying with us from the hurricane. Only one is working since the other twos work still does not have power or is damaged.

the only problem is getting their last paycheck stubs or income tax forms.