Sandy-Related Jobless Benefits Extended

Special unemployment assistance for those who lost their jobs because of Hurricane Sandy has been extended to residents in all 21 counties.

Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance is for people who are unemployed as a direct result of damages caused by the storm.

Self-employed people are eligible.

Most impacted workers qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance. So, the Christie administration advises people to file a regular unemployment claim first.

That can be done online at www.njuifile.net.

The special assistance covers people who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

A claim for federal assistance must be made within 30 days of the disaster declaration.

The deadline is Dec. 3, Dec. 6 or Dec. 10, based on county of residence.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)