Release Date: February 13, 2008
Release Number: 1744-011

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Residents in the Arkansas counties of Baxter, Conway, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren who lost their jobs or businesses as a result of the tornadoes on Feb. 5 are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This assistance is available to individuals through the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

DUA is available for up to 26 weeks for unemployed workers or self-employed individuals that were employed, lived, or were to start a new job in the disaster area when the major disaster occurred.

There are only 30 days to apply for DUA beginning from the first day the information is made public by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. The deadlines to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance are listed below;

March 13 - Baxter, Pope, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren Counties

March 14 - Conway, Izard and Randolph counties

For more information or to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, visit the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services at one of their local offices. Residents or business owners in the following counties can call or visit the following locations.

Izard, Sharp or Stone Counties ADWS phone: 870-793-4156 address: 396 Barnett Drive, Batesville, AR 72503.

Van Buren County ADWS phone: 501-730-9897 office: 1500 North Museum Road, Suite 111, Conway, AR 72033.

Conway and Pope County ADWS phone: 479-968-2784 office: 104 South Rochester Avenue, Russellville, AR 72811.

Randolph County ADWS phone: 870-886-3556 office: 116 West Elm Street, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476.

Baxter County phone: 870-425-2386 office: Highland Circle, #20, Mountain Home, AR 72654.

DUA eligibility does not impact registration for federal and state disaster assistance programs. Individuals are urged to register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those who are hearing or speech-impaired. You can also register online at www.fema.gov. FEMA operators are available 7 a.m. to midnight CST seven days a week, until further notice.