Alabama Department of Labor

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2023


ADDITIONAL COUNTIES ADDED 2/8/2023

Unemployment Assistance Available to Workers in Mobile and Morgan Counties

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that workers who became unemployed as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in Mobile and Morgan Counties may qualify for unemployment assistance.


Counties previously designated are Autauga, Coosa, Elmore, Dallas, Green, Hale, Sumter, and Tallapoosa Counties.


People who live in or worked in these counties and became unemployed due to severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes during the period of January 12, 2023, may be eligible for assistance under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program, which was triggered when President Biden designated the area as a disaster area on January 15, 2023.


“Generally, those who are eligible for state unemployment benefits are not eligible for DUA, but a claimant may qualify if state unemployment compensation benefits are exhausted,” said Washington. “If you believe you are entitled to these benefits, I urge you to file a claim to see if you are eligible.”


People who may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance include the following: individuals who no longer have a job, are unable to reach the place of employment, or were scheduled to start work in the major disaster area and the job no longer exists; those who became the breadwinner or major support of the family because the head of household died, or those who cannot work because of an injury incurred during the major disaster. All of the previously described circumstances must be as a direct result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.


Claims can be filed through ADOL’s website at http://www.labor.alabama.gov or by calling 1-866-234-5382. The deadline to file a DUA claim is March 10, 2023 for Mobile and Morgan Counties.


The deadline to file a DUA claim is March 1, 2023 for Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Green, Hale, Sumter, and Tallapoosa Counties.


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Members of the media seeking more information should contact Communications Director Tara Hutchison at (334) 309-9014 / tara.hutchison@labor.alabama.gov



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