TIFTON — Workers in Tift and three other counties have until Tuesday to file claims for special unemployment benefits to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Dec. 3 is the deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims in Tift, Effingham, Rabun and Elbert counties, a Georgia Department of Labor statement said.

DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the president. It differs from regular state unemployment insurance in that it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees and others who are not eligible under the state’s program.

Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365. Individuals in the authorized counties directly affected by Hurricane Helene must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any GDOL career center. The GDOL will notify claimants if they are eligible to file for DUA.  Eligible claimants must apply for DUA no later than Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Income verification may be required when applying for DUA benefits. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of the most recently completed income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.