Unemployment assistance remains available for Mississippi victims of Tropical Storm Arthur.
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced Monday that residents of Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties could qualify for disaster unemployment assistance.
Officials with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency estimate that the storm damaged 532 homes, 17 businesses, and five farms.
According to state officials, disaster unemployment assistance is for individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster. Those who live in one of the four named counties, or resided there at the time of the storm, and were unable to work because of the destruction caused by the weather event are entitled to apply and potentially receive the unemployment benefits.
“The Disaster Assistance Period begins June 21, 2026, through February 6, 2027. Each claim will be reviewed to determine eligibility to receive DUA,” an official statement from the Department of Employment Security reads.
Additionally, the agency specified that self-employed citizens and residents who are now unemployed because of the disaster, along with those who were unable to reach their place of work because of storm damage between June 18-20, may be eligible for financial relief.
A list of specific criteria for eligible individuals is:
- Were unemployed for at least one week after the date of the disaster
- Became the income provider or major support for a household because of the disaster-related death of the head of the household
- Cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster
- Could not work or lost work as a result of physical damage or destruction of a business; or unable to work because of the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure
- Were scheduled to have started work and do not have a job as a direct result of the disaster.
Residents from Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties can apply online for aid. The deadline to apply for assistance is Oct. 2.
