Abbott announces additional counties now eligible for unemployment benefits due to Texas floods

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Abbott announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for “Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA),” for multiple counties, Abbott’s office said in a news release Friday.

Those counties include Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson counties, according to Abbott's office.

This is a result of the severe storm and flooding that impacted the state. President Donald Trump issued a “Major Disaster Declaration." For workers and those who are self-employed in those counties who are unable to work due to the floods can apply for the DUA benefits, the release said.

"Workers across the Hill Country continue to face hardship after the devastating flooding that hit communities last week," Abbott said in the release. "Texas stands with these communities as they work to heal and recover. With more counties eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, more hardworking Texans will have the resources and support they need to move forward." 

Those affected by the flooding can apply for benefits via the Unemployment Benefit Services website or by calling TWC at 800-939-6631 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Applications under the the declaration has to be submitted by Sept. 4, according to Abbott’s office.

Those applying must specify their “applications are related to the damage caused by Hill Country flooding.”

DUA benefits are available to the following Texans, as provided by Abbott's office:

• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits;
• Worked or were self-employed or were 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 household; or
• Were unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.

Abbott's office said that other counties could be added to the president's disaster declaration. Officials with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are continuing to monitor all self-reported damages via the agency's iSTAT damage survey.

Those who can safely do so can report damages on the TDEM website, the release said.

For those who have questions about DUA benefits can visit the TWC website for more information.