The Disaster Unemployment Aid program that is being handled by the CNMI Department of Labor has been allotted $11 million to help workers who were laid off or have been working shorter hours as a result of Super Typhoon Yutu or Typhoon Mangkhut. <\/p>\n
According to Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente, the department requested a budget of $11 million from the U.S Department of Labor for the DUA program in order to assist up to 3,000 individuals. <\/p>\n
Department of Labor director of employment Eugene Tebuteb added that that amount is not concrete and could still change, depending on the number of individuals who need assistance. <\/p>\n
\u201c[$11 million] is not concrete and could be modified to accommodate the number of applicants,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Speaking at the Society of Human Resources Management meeting last Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan ballroom, Benavente and members of the Department of Labor provided information about the DUA program in order for the information to be disseminated to affected employees. <\/p>\n
Benavente said that eligible DUA individuals will be given either $336 or $335, depending on which disaster aid they are applying for, either Super Typhoon Yutu or Typhoon Mangkhut. <\/p>\n
As of last Thursday, a total of 1,800 applications were submitted to the department. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have 1,800 applications and I\u2019m estimating out of 3,000, and only 1,800 came in, we\u2019re still expecting 1,200. We could have more because we don\u2019t know if all the 1,800 will be eligible. We can at least accept 1,200 more applicants,\u201d Benavente said. <\/p>\n
The department is encouraging everyone affected to apply. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re encouraging everyone to apply. Let\u2019s review your application. We have a limited budget\u2026$11 million was our requested budget\u2026but just keep it [applications] coming\u2026,\u201d said Benavente. <\/p>\n
The department has already asked for a deadline extension on the submission of applications, to move it to Jan. 16, 2019, instead of Dec. 16, 2018. <\/p>\n
Tebuteb said the DUA program is intended to aid workers whose jobs were affected by of Super Typhoon Yutu or Typhoon Mangkhut.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has to be related to the typhoon. When the typhoon hit and an employee was affected, meaning they were laid off or their regular working hours were reduced, then they qualify. Its also for sole proprietorships, like if you\u2019re self-employed and it\u2019s your primary source of income. It\u2019s also for like fishermen and farmers,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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