For Further Information, Contact:
VEC - C.B. Pierce  
(804) 786-1883 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 4, 2001
    FEMA-1386DR-VA-NR39A

TAZEWELL, VA. -- Thursday, September 13 is the deadline for residents in Lee County to apply for disaster unemployment assistance as a result of severe storms and flooding that occurred across the Commonwealth on July 8 and thereafter. Disaster unemployment assistance deadlines are set according to when a designated jurisdiction is declared eligible to apply for disaster assistance by the Virginia Employment Commission.

Individuals living and /or working in Lee County whose unemployment is a direct result of the flooding that occurred on July 8 have until Thursday, September 13 to apply.

Self-employed and unemployed workers who are not covered by regular state unemployment insurance programs may apply for this federally funded assistance made available by the major disaster declaration by President Bush on July 12, 2001. Under this program, benefits of up to $268 per week may be paid to eligible individuals until they are able to return to work.

Disaster unemployment assistance covers those who:

• Are unable to work because their place of unemployment was put out of operation or they were unable to travel to their workplace due to the effects of the flood damage;
• Are self-employed but are prevented from working due to the effects of the flood damage;
• Have become the breadwinner or major support of a household because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.

Anyone interested in filing for disaster unemployment assistance should visit the nearest Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) field office. Applicants should bring their Social Security number and, if possible, documentation showing earnings for the calendar year of 2000.