AP Wire

Time extended for unemployment assistance

by The Associated Press

People who lost jobs or income because of the flooding across south Louisiana have more time to apply for disaster unemployment assistance.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced Thursday that it was extending the application period to Oct. 14 in the 20 parishes that were part of the federal disaster declaration. The unemployment assistance is available from Aug. 14 through Feb. 18.

The aid is available to people who can't work because of flooding damage to their job site or an injury from the flooding — and who don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

Applications can be filed online at www.laworks.net or by phone at 1-866-783-5567. The workforce commission is encouraging people to apply through the website, warning that delays are likely if someone tries to file by phone.