Blog – Disaster Preparedness, Document Recovery

FEMA financially assists business owners

In a press release today, FEMA announced that Kentucky business owners directly affected by the April 22 to May 20 storms, tornadoes and floods might be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The DUA is a special unemployment compensation program for those who do not qualify for standard unemployment assistance through their state.

Assistance Eligibility

  • If you are a Kentucky business owner, in order to qualify, one of the following situations must apply to you:
  • You cannot run your business because of the floods, storms or tornadoes.
  • You cannot reach your business because of “disaster-related travel disruptions.”
  • You cannot work because you sustained a disaster-related injury.
  • You cannot operate your business or work because the storms damaged your building.
  • You live or own a business in one of the 17 Kentucky counties eligible for Individual Assistance through FEMA and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.

Disaster Assistance Filing Dates

  • June 24, 2011: for Boyd, Crittenden, Graves, Hardin, Hickman, Jefferson, Marshall, McCracken, Livingston, Union and Webster counties
  • To be determined: for Ballard, Daviess, Henderson, Lawrence, McLean and Pike counties

FEMA states:

“Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks are available for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the storms and who don’t normally qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, such as farmers and self-employed individuals.

“Applications can be submitted at a local Office of Employment and Training. When filing a claim, self-employed individuals should bring a copy of their 2010 income tax return. Other applicants need a photo identification card and their Social Security number.

“Joint damage assessments continue in other counties and additional counties may be added for IA. Residents that suffered storm and flood related damage are encouraged to document and photo the damage and keep any repair receipts. Please report any damage to your local emergency management.”

Without a business continuity plan, a storm can shut down your operations for good if you are not prepared. Your continuity plan should also include what to do after a storm.

Related articles