April 1, 2010

Self-employed individuals who are not covered under regular unemployment insurance may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance if they are unable to work due to flooding in Kent, Providence, Newport or Washington Counties on or after March 12, 2010.

Individual considered self-employed are those who file 1099 tax forms and who do not receive W-2 tax forms.

The department is currently making special arrangements to host Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims filing session in the next week. Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims filing must be staff-assisted and cannot be done online or on the phone. More information on staff-assisted filing of these claims should be available before close of business on Friday.

Workers who due to flooding are unable to utilize transportation, including public transportation, to their place of employment may also qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. These individuals should file online for unemployment insurance, and indicate that the reason for their unemployment is due to the floods. These individuals will then be contacted by the department on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The RI Department of Labor and Training offers employment services, educational services and economic opportunity to both individuals and employers. DLT protects Rhode Island’s workforce by enforcing labor laws, prevailing wage rates and workplace health and safety standards. The department also provides temporary income support to unemployed and temporarily disabled workers. For more information on the programs and services available to all Rhode Islanders, please call the RI Department of Labor and Training at (401) 462-8000 or visit the web site at www.dlt.ri.gov. 

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