The deadline to file for disaster unemployment assistance in 35 counties affected by Hurricane Irene has been extended to Nov. 1, according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

Beaufort, Hyde, Martin and Washington counties are among the 35 counties whose residents and small-business owners may be eligible for assistance.

“We’ve gotten 1,140 applications statewide,” said Larry Parker, NCESC spokesman, early Monday afternoon.

Parker provided specific numbers for Beaufort County.

“It looks like 31 have been approved for DUA, and another 42 will receive regular benefits or are having their claims looked at,” Parker said.

Statewide, 498 people have been approved for DUA, he noted.

“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.”

Workers in the affected 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.

Those who qualify may receive benefits dating back to the week of Sept. 3.

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

• Individuals who are unemployed because of 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 because of 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 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 by the disaster.

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.