Hurricane Florence Information re: Disaster Unemployment Assistance

P r e s s R e l e a s e

North Carolina Division of Employment Security
Lockhart Taylor, Assistant Secretary

For More Information, Contact: For Immediate Release
Larry Parker/919.707.1010 September 18, 2018
Ten More Counties Declared for
Disaster Unemployment Assistance

RALEIGH — The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that the following counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) due to the effects of Hurricane Florence: Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Lenoir, Jones, Robeson, Sampson, and Wayne. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date.

Individuals from these counties who are affected by the disaster, and are unable to continue working, must file an ap­plication for benefits within 30 days from today – or, by October 18, 2018. Workers who became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Florence impacting North Carolina, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the DUA program. Business owners affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.

Workers or business owners meeting the following criteria may be eligible for benefits:

• Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster, and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
• Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
• Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.
• Individuals who are unable to reach their jobs or self-employment locations, because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
• Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment, but were prevented from doing so by the disaster.

DUA is funded entirely by the federal government. Individuals need to file first for regular unemployment insurance. If an individual is determined ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, or has exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits, a DUA claim can then be filed. Individuals will need their Social Security number, copies of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, or documentation to support they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.

DUA is available for weeks of employment beginning with the week starting September 9, 2018, and may last for up to 26 weeks, as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be as a result of Hurricane Florence. Individuals may contact DES by calling 1-866-795-8877 from 8AM to 5PM to apply for DUA benefits.

If you have additional questions, you may email DES at des.dua@nccommerce.com or go to our website at des.nc.gov.
For an updated list of counties that have been approved, please visit the News and Highlights section at des.nc.gov.
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Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official.

Candidate Questionnaire John Szoka – NC House District 45

 

 What NEW legislation will you be working on once in office?

         Legislation that I primarily work on is focused in three categories:

  • Tax policy that makes state taxes lower and fairer for all citizens.
  • Energy policy that leads to lowest cost/least polluting sources of energy.
  • Legislation that support active duty, National Guard, reserve soldiers, their families and veterans.a solution?

 

What is the number 1 challenge facing our state?  Is there a solution?

Challenge. Continuing the economic recovery that our state is currently enjoying with unemployment at the lowest rate since 2001.

Solution. We need to continue to pass sound state budgets that fund core state responsibilities while keeping taxes low.

There is a statewide issue with unmaintained roads in county neighborhoods recently referred to as “orphaned roads.” A bill was introduced in the General Assembly two years ago but has not moved forward. What are your thoughts for solving this problem?

I voted for this bill in the House where the bill received broad, bi-partisan support, and will vote for it again when the bill is reintroduced.

With the possible redevelopment of the Murchison Road corridor, would you vote to annex the doughnut hole in Shaw Heights if the Fayetteville City Council sent the delegation a resolution to support the annexation?

No. Until the city goes through the annexation process as established in current law and makes the attempt to get the property owners of Shaw Heights to agree to voluntary annexation, I will not support involuntary annexation. The property owners and residents of Shaw Heights have the right to have a say in whether or not they are annexed into the city.

What are your thoughts on additional tax on services in 2019

Generally I am in favor of expanding the sales tax base and reducing personal income and corporate income tax rates. This provides a more stable tax base to support the state budget and generates more economic activity in the state.

 

2018 Idea House Open to the Public September 7

 

Fayetteville, N.C. –The Home Builders Association of Fayetteville is proud to present the 3rd Idea House project. It is a collaboration of HBAF members and their vendors and will open for public touring beginning Friday, September 7.

 

It is located in the Village Rockfish subdivision located near I-95 and Highway 87. Only 10 minutes from downtown Fayetteville and 20 minutes from Fort Bragg.

 

The Idea House features custom design, tons of upgrades and cutting edge products. The home is constructed with the innovative building materials while utilizing current and efficient building practices.

 

The home is open to the public free of charge from September 7 – October 7 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

The home is for sale and offers will be accepted beginning October 8 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Visit www.2018ideahouse.com to view detailed purchase information and a list of vendors.

 

 

Natalie W. Fryer, Executive Officer

Home Builders Association of Fayetteville

2935 Breezewood Ave., Suite 100

Fayetteville, NC 28303

910-826-0648 (office)

910-309-4245(mobile)

natalie@fayhba.org

www.fayhba.org

www.nahb.org/ma

Candidate Questionnaire Allen Thomas, Jr. – Hoke County Commission

Why do you wish to serve or continue to serve in public office?

I wish to continue serving in public office to finish what I started. Keeping promises in government can take time. I am pleased with the progress over the last 4 years, but there is much more to do here in Hoke County. I hear the concerns of people from all walks of life, and I fight for every community.

What are the top three challenges facing your county and how do you propose to address them through your office?

Education, Economic Growth, and Public Safety. Education: In my second term in office, I will work to increase funding to our schools by developing a five-year plan to increase per pupil spending. This plan will include increases in local teacher supplements as well as discretionary funds that the schools can use to continue to improve student achievement.

Economic growth is necessary to reduce the tax burden that our residents face every year. I support marketing campaigns to increase the number of people who relocate to Hoke County. We have been named one of the fastest growing counties in the state multiple years in a row. With the increase of income per capita and population, Hoke County will continue to attract economic growth.

Public Safety continues to be a major priority. Living in a safe environment is essential to attracting growth and businesses. I have worked to increase funding for law enforcement while adding deputies to our roads and schools. School safety has been a major concern in this country over the past year. This year, two additional School Resource Officers will be in our schools to ensure that our children are safe while at school. Hoke County is a safe place to live and work and I will fight to keep that reputation alive.

There is a statewide issue with unmaintained roads in county neighborhoods recently referred to as “orphaned roads.” A bill was introduced in the General Assembly this year but did not move forward. What are your thoughts for solving this problem?

As a County Commissioner, I have received countless complaints where homeowners were left with private roads that were not built to DOT standards that are now in disrepair. The current process that some developers use to cut costs is not in the best interests of the residents who live there. All private roads should be built to DOT standards so that the residents can have the option to seek inclusion into the DOT system in the future. As a member of the Board of Directors for the NC Association of County Commissioners, I can meet with other Commissioners from across the state to hear their opinions regarding this issue. We can develop solutions that are supported by leaders on the local level and coordinate our efforts in Raleigh with likeminded organizations. Together, we can solve this problem.

What NEW ideas or incentives can you suggest to attract business into the region? The county has an economic developer who works to bring new businesses to Hoke County.

The Board of Commissioners can lay out a vision as to which business industry’s are lacking in this area and develop a plan to attract and lure those businesses to Hoke County. 30% of our county is the Fort Bragg Military Reservation so recruiting Defense Contractors would be a start.Utilizing public owned space to serve as incubators for new start-up’s has been gaining traction around the country. We can direct our staff to give us a report on what works and what doesn’t work when looking at new ways to attract businesses.

What steps, if any, would you take to improve your county’s property valuation process in the years ahead? Why do you think these steps are necessary?

I believe making sure that we have the most updated systems in place is essential to a fair and equitable valuation process. As we prepare for the next re-valuation, we will review our current process with stakeholders and develop a plan to ensure that this important process is done fair and efficiently.

 

Lee County Lands Overseas Company Dowa Thermotech

 

The N.C. Secretary of Commerce Anthony Copeland attended a press release on Tuesday to announce a new Japanese company Dowa Thermotech’s contract to invest 22.5 million into Lee County.  The company plans to build an automotive and industrial machinery factory.  The company manufactures industrial furnaces and commercial heat treatment of metal parts in engines and transmissions.

Details:

  • Initially will fill 109 jobs – $35,000 average salary
  • Facility will be located in the Central Carolina Enterprise Park
  • Factory will be between 50,000 – 60,000 square feet on a nine-acre lot
  • Company is anticipated to expand within four years
  • Combined salaries will generate over 3.8 million into Lee County
  • $220,000 grant was awarded to the project

Ryuji Tsuji (president, Dowa Thermotech) with the help from an interpreter said – “I hear that North Carolina has been chosen as the easiest state to live at all times and it is truly our honor to build our new factory in this a wonderful state.  We dream of building a great factory in this area with your support.”