As Isaac (hurricane #9 of the 2012 season and now downgraded to a tropical storm) impacts the Gulf Coast, workers who have lost or may lose their jobs, even temporarily, because of the storm, may be eligible for unemployment benefits. For current claimants, some payments are delayed because of power outages and state office closures.
Unemployment benefits are available for workers who have lost their jobs due to hurricane Isaac. If you are out of work because of the storm you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) or state Unemployment Insurance (UI).
Unemployed workers will need to meet the standard eligibility requirements for collecting state unemployment benefits. In order to qualify for disaster unemployment benefits your employment or self-employment must have been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and you must have been determined not to be eligible for regular state unemployment insurance.
Check with your state unemployment office website for more information on filing a claim for unemployment and for updates on your claim, if you are currently unemployed. There are already reports of delayed benefits in Florida and Louisiana because of power outages.
State Information
Florida: Florida Unemployment | Florida Emergency Information
Louisiana: Louisiana Unemployment | Louisiana Emergency Information | Louisiana Unemployment Delays
Mississippi: Mississippi Unemployment | Mississippi Emergency Information
Hurricane Unemployment Benefits