Texas Workforce Commission’s Post

Are you a job seeker who was impacted by the recent San Diego floods? You may qualify for emergency relief funds and job support! From housing allowance to employment assistance, we want to help you recover. If you live in San Diego, learn how to check your eligibility for support and what assistance may be available to you through the link below. #SanDiegoFloodRelief #EmergencyAssistance #FloodRelief #FloodSupport  #JobSeekers

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in five additional counties impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 26. The amended Declaration now includes Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Ellis, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, and Waller Counties. Workers and self-employed individuals in the designated counties who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from the severe weather may be eligible for DUA benefits. Individuals can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling TWC at (800) 939-6631 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Individuals should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by severe weather. Applications for DUA benefits under this declaration must be submitted by July 16, 2024. Source: https://www.twc.texas.gov/

Todays #FridayForward provides some beneficial resources for businesses impacted by the May 10th tornadoes. 1. Everyone should apply to this – Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the May North Florida Tornadoes. DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning 05/12/2024 until 12/21/2024, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the May North Florida Tornadoes. DUA is only available for those individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of the May North Florida Tornadoes. **Please note if a claimant is currently receiving state Reemployment Assistance they will not be eligible for DUA.** Please review the attached document for how to apply or click the link -> Disaster Unemployment Assistance 2. If you are a business that works from your home and have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs please apply for the FEMA Assistance https://lnkd.in/egKPDU3U 3. If your business is struggling to pay the wages of your current employees and you’re having to reduce employee hours Short-Time Compensation (STC) permits pro-rated Reemployment Assistance (RA) benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a STC plan to avoid total layoff of some employees. https://lnkd.in/e62UiM34 4. For Business Losses you may also qualify for help from these agencies. (Search through the list to see what best fits your situation. There are even resources for crop disaster) 5. Utilities - If you feel there may have been issues after the storm causing your utility bill to increase, please schedule a Free Energy Audit through the City of Tallahassee. This is one of the best ways to provide evidence to the utility department and be able to request a credit/refund. https://lnkd.in/e-GyYPgh 6. Finally, here are a few rebates and financial assistance opportunities for ceiling installation, commercial natural gas, solar water heater and solar net-metering https://lnkd.in/eF8DjKtM Please feel free to reach out to me whenever you need. [email protected] #RapidResponse #TogetherWeAreStronger #FloridaCommerce #DisasterRelief #DisasterRecovery

FEMA Individual Assistance disaster program is going through a major reform starting tomorrow 3/22/24. The changes will allow for a more streamlined application process, $750 to every eligible applicant, new disability enhancements and more! Webinar: https://lnkd.in/eSBJgzRC ID: A flyer detailing upcoming reforms to FEMA's Disaster Assistance Program to help survivors recover more equitably. Changes go into effect for disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024. The flyer has three sections. The left section, titled Establish New Benefits, outlines: Standardizing Serious Needs Assistance and Create Displacement Assistance. The middle section, Cut Red Tape and Expand Eligibility, discusses: Simplifying Other Needs Assistance, Helping Underinsured Survivors, Expanding Habitability Criteria, Making Accessibility Improvements, Simplifying Assistance for Entrepreneurs. The right section, Simplify the Application Process, Removing Barriers for Late Applicants, Simplifying the Process for Appeals. At the bottom, a quote from FEMA Administrator Criswell states, "The limitations on federal assistance have frustrated survivors and delayed recovery for far too long. FEMA was determined to remedy this situation and help reach more people." FEMA logo at bottom.

🚨 September is National Preparedness Month 🚨 It’s the time of year you will hear Emergency Managers talk about the need for individuals and families to Build a Kit ✅, Make a Plan ✅, and to Stay Informed ✅ . This year's theme is “Start a Conversation” so let’s have an open conversation to explore new ideas to honestly prepare people for disasters from a Federal, State/Local, and individual level. I will share three ideas 💡 over the course of the month, starting with a Federal Individual and Family Disaster Savings Fund 💰. 1.     Individual and Family Disaster Savings Fund. Bankrate found that only 44% of Americans surveyed could afford a $1,000 emergency expense. FEMA should create an Individual and Family Disaster Savings Fund. Federal government contributes $500 as an incentive for opening an account which financially operates as a Treasury Bond with annual return rates. Account holders are required to contribute at least $10 to it monthly. Funds are only available to the account holder following a Presidentially Disaster Declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act impacting the area of their primary residency or until the youngest account holder turns 70 years of age. Account holders automatically qualify for FEMA Individual Assistance. #FEMA #emergencyprepardness #nationalpreparednessmonth #disastersavings #beprepared #roberttstaffordact

Is your business flood-impacted? You may qualify for financial relief! The San Diego Workforce Partnership offers relief funds for temporary hiring, damage repairs, on-the-job training and upskilling your staff. Learn more about how we can help. #SanDiego #FloodRelief #WorkforceSupport #BusinessRecovery

The need for a living, flexible set of rules to play by is more and more evident as the weather grows increasingly unpredictable. Getting federal funding into the hands of those who need it is key--no matter how much money people save in "rainy day funds", the displacement, reconstruction, and recovery post-disaster is often too heavy of a financial burden for the average household. Even "minor" repairs in a substantially damaged property often requires significant rehabbing to the home. Brave through the 300-something page rule change if you dare, but the details seem to suggest a welcome and equitable change from FEMA.

More Federal assistance from 2pm tomorrow following the severe storms in Sth East Qld. $1000 per eligible adult & $400 per eligible child for residents with major home damage in 27 Gold Coast, Logan & Scenic Rim suburbs (more suburbs to come). Disaster Recovery Allowance is also available - up to 13 weeks of federal income support to assist eligible employees or sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster (eg workplace closed/inaccessible). More details on these two payments here: https://lnkd.in/gz9fUaR8 This builds on joint Federal-State financial hardship assistance already available for SEQ residents who need to replace food, clothing, medicines or reconnect utilities, but who have not suffered major home damage. Residents can apply for these payments through https://lnkd.in/ginvq_eC

Kudos to FEMA for its efforts in "overhauling the country’s disaster assistance programs, expanding aid for survivors of hurricanes, wildfires and other catastrophes and making it easier to access." While welcomed, important to note that too many Americans will remain left behind on the road to recovery. While federal, state and local governments play important and central role in equitable recovery, it is never enough. We need to change how we think of disasters, exploring how to mitigate the hazards while diminishing existing and projected vulnerabilities. And we need to lift up and listen to the communities affected. Solutions will vary and will take time. Those of us fortunate to have the ability to help must be nimble, patient and generous in our giving. To this end, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy can be a great resource. https://lnkd.in/eFHaa9q4

In the face of such challenges, such as the failed learnings and the state not being as prepared as it could have been, (we hear this too often) it's imperative that we come together as a community to fill these gaps and ensure comprehensive support for affected residents. This is where organisations like the Australian Disaster Alliance (ADA) step in. ADA stands as a beacon of hope, offering a collaborative platform where community, first responders, and the private sector unite with a shared purpose: to assist those in need during times of disaster. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of our members, ADA is uniquely positioned to provide holistic support, from immediate relief to long-term recovery efforts. One crucial aspect of our mission is to reduce reliance on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for disaster response. While the ADF plays a vital role in emergencies, we believe that by empowering local communities and building capacity at the grassroots level, we can lessen the burden on our military forces. Through proactive community engagement and capacity-building initiatives, ADA aims to equip communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effectively respond to disasters without heavy reliance on external assistance. By fostering partnerships between local authorities, NGOs, businesses, and residents, we can create a resilient ecosystem where communities can support each other in times of need. In the wake of the Lismore flooding, multiple non-profit services have admirably stepped up to assist residents in accessing crucial support and temporary accommodation. However, the magnitude of the challenge demands a coordinated and sustainable approach, which is precisely what ADA embodies. Through collaborative partnerships and a proactive stance, ADA aims to address the root causes of systemic vulnerabilities, ensuring that no community is left behind in the aftermath of a disaster. By leveraging our diverse network of members, we can pool resources, share best practices, and amplify impact, ultimately fostering resilient communities that are better equipped to weather future storms. As we reflect on the lessons learned from past crises, let us commit to building a more resilient future, one where the Australian Disaster Alliance plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of our communities. Together, we can make a difference. Join us in our mission. Together, we are stronger. #DisasterResponse #CommunityResilience #AustralianDisasterAlliance #Collaboration #ResilientCommunities #ReducingRelianceADF https://lnkd.in/gn-XCqbV