Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
Three counties added for severe weather-related unemployment insurance

 FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Kentuckians in Madison, Rowan and Mason counties who have lost work or whose businesses were damaged due to severe weather that occurred between July 17 - 30, 2010, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. These counties were added to Carter, Lewis and Pike counties, which were previously designated for disaster assistance.

 Farmers and self-employed people, who are normally not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, also may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Sept. 16, 2010, is the deadline for applying for benefits. All regular unemployment insurance benefits must be exhausted prior to receiving any disaster benefits. Applications can be filed at the local OET offices. 

When filing a claim, self-employed people should bring a copy of their 2009 income tax return.  Other applicants need only a photo-identification card and their Social Security number.

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.kyem.ky.gov/currentdisasters and www.fema.gov.

OET helps individuals prepare for, secure and maintain employment; assists employers in locating and selecting the best qualified workers for their job openings; and provides income maintenance to ease the financial burden on individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own.

The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16 and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department of Workforce Investment. For more information about our programs, visit www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov, or call 502-564-0372.

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