RALEIGH — The date to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in 35 counties affected by Hurricane Irene has been extended to Nov. 1.

Workers and farmers within the Roanoke-Chowan area (Bertie, Gates, Hertford and Northampton) whose employment was compromised by the hurricane are eligible to file.

The remaining counties include Beaufort, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Currituck, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell,

Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.

“Helping get North Carolinians back on their feet after this storm remains a priority,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “This extension will help many of those who have not been able to file in the original time frame allowed.”

Prior to the deadline extension, filing for unemployment assistance was initially scheduled to end Oct. 5.

Workers in those counties who became unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Irene 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. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler reminds farmers and farm workers affected by the hurricane that they are eligible to file as well.

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 support of a household, because the head of household died as a direct result of the major disaster.

Individuals who are unable to reach their job or self-employment location 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 by the disaster.

There is no “waiting” week period to file for benefits. Affected workers can receive benefits dated back to the week ending Sept. 3, 2011.

DUA is funded entirely by the Federal Government.

Individuals may contact the ESC by email at esc.dua@ncesc.gov, or by calling 1-866-795-8877 to apply for DUA benefits. Individuals are encouraged to file as soon as possible.