BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Labor has extended the period to accept claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance to November 30.

The original 30-day filing deadline of October 7, 2005 was extended due to the widespread dislocation of workers and damage to the affected areas’ infrastructure inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.

To receive DUA benefits, individuals must provide their social security number, proof of wages, and proof of employment, including the name and address of the last employer. Self-employed individuals must provide their business and financial records, including federal income tax returns for the most recent tax year Claims may be filed several ways: in person at any LDOL One Stop or job center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; online at www.LAWORKS.net; or by calling 1-800-818-7811.

DUA provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. Before an individual can be determined eligible for DUA, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law).

DUA has been authorized for individuals who resided or work in the following 31 parishes: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Point Coupee, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.