Disaster unemployment assistance available

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Department of Employment Security says individuals in Marion and Wayne counties unable to work because of the recent tornadoes and storms may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Affected workers in those counties plus Forrest and Lamar counties have until March 22 to apply for help.

The assistance is available to eligible people who live or work in one of the affected counties and could not work because of major destruction that began Feb. 10.

The MDES says self-employed individuals living or working in the affected areas at the time of the major disaster; those who are unemployed as a result of the major disaster; those unable to reach their jobs or who were scheduled to begin employment, but the disaster prevented them from doing so, may apply.