DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL COUNTIES.

NASHVILLE, TN -- The following information was released by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency:

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced today that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers in Carroll, Crockett, Hardin, Henry and Madison counties as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and associated flooding for the incident period beginning April 25, 2011 to April 28, 2011. This is amendment 2 to declaration number FEMA-1974-DR.

This brings the total to 22 counties that have been approved for individual assistance.

Individuals who are not covered for regular unemployment benefits may qualify for disaster unemployment benefits. This includes self-employed workers and others not covered by the state unemployment insurance program whose source of income has been interrupted by the disaster damage. If possible, individuals should have access to their 2010 income tax return, Social Security Number, and any papers with wage and employment information prior to the disaster.

If your unemployment claim is a direct result of the disaster, do not file your claim by internet to avoid delays. You may call 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1974-DR Amendment 2 for the approved counties of Carroll, Crockett, Hardin, Henry and Madison will have until June 30, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1979-DR Amendment 1 for the approved counties of Gibson and Lauderdale will have until June 27, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1979-DR for the approved counties of Dyer, Lake, Obion, Shelby and Stewart will have until June 9, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1974-DR Amendment 1 for the approved counties of Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea have until June 6, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Persons affected by the disaster under FEMA-1974-DR for the approved counties of Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington have until June 2, 2011, to file for disaster unemployment benefits.

Weekly DUA benefit amounts are determined in the same way as regular unemployment benefits. Benefits range from $112 to $275 per week and are payable up to 26 weeks after the day of declaration, which was May 1, 2011. DUA benefits will end if unemployment is no longer the direct result of the disaster.

Persons who are unemployed as a direct result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and associated flooding for incident period beginning April 25, 2011 to April 28, 2011, who need to file a Tennessee unemployment claim or DUA claim may call 615-253-0800, extension 7599, or 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or report in person to one of the following TDLWD Career Centers. Designated Career Centers take claims on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.

These are the 22 career centers that take mass lack-of-work claims on a regular basis.

Athens410 Congress Parkway

Bristol1712 West State Street

Chattanooga5600 Brainerd Road , Suite A-5

ClarksvilleVeterans Plaza , 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 406

Columbia119 Nashville Highway, Suite 106 , Northway Shopping Ctr.

Cookeville580 South Jefferson Ave. , Suite A

Crossville60 Ridley Street

Dyersburg439 McGaughey Street

Gallatin175 College Street

Humboldt1481 Mullins Street

Jacksboro1016 Main Street

Jackson362 Carriage House Drive

Johnson City2515 Wesley Street

Knoxville1610 University Avenue

Lawrenceburg702 Mahr Avenue

McMinnville107 Lyon Street

Murfreesboro1313 Old Fort Parkway

Nashville2200 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. (previously Metro Center Blvd.)

Paris1023 Mineral Wells Avenue , Suite F

Rogersville1112 East Main Street

Talbott/Morristown6057 W. Andrew Johnson Highway, Alpha Square, Suite A

Tullahoma111 East Lincoln Street

If persons affected by the disaster are located in Shelby County they may file their DUA claim by calling 615-253-0800, extension 7599, or 1-866-331-1271, extension 7599. The following Tennessee Career Centers process walk-in unemployment claims from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:

Memphis - Mendenhall5368 South Mendenhall Mall

Memphis - Raleigh 2850 Austin Peay Hwy., Suite 132

Memphis - Poplar 1295 Poplar Avenue

Collierville 942 West Poplar, Suite 4

Somerville121 West Court Square

Ripley301C Lake Drive

Covington973 Highway 51 North Bypass

For updates, please check our agency's Web site at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/.