The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports that disaster unemployment assistance is now available to businesses, including self-employed workers, affected in the 12 parishes included in President Barack Obama’s federal disaster declaration. The Louisiana Workforce Commission is accepting applications for from residents and businesses in the following parishes until the deadline of September 15, 2016: The parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Acadia, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry and Vermilion. Individuals affected in these designated-disaster areas must file applications by established deadlines.

It is available to those who:

• Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage of destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster;
• Can establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their principal source of income;
• Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state;
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster or;
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

Applicants must submit their Social Security number, check stubs and documentation to support the claim that they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. In some cases, additional documentation may be required.

Visit laworks.net for more information on how to file an application, and to see if your business qualifies for the assistance, or call 1-866-783-5567 Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to high call volume at this time, applicants are encouraged to apply online first.