1. Disaster Unemployment Assistance: MARIETTA - Cobb workers may be able to apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance as a result of the severe storms and flooding. The announcement was made Friday by State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. Business workers and owners impacted by the storms should apply for the benefits by Oct. 26.

Potentially eligible workers should contact their nearest Georgia Department of Labor Career Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Georgia Department of Labor also has a toll-free customer service number: (877) 709-8185, or go to www.dol.state.ga.us for additional career center information.

2. Housing and Urban Development Assistance: MARIETTA - The U.S. Housing and Urban Development will speed federal disaster assistance to seven counties in Georgia and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms and flooding.

President Obama issued a disaster declaration for Carroll, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Stephens counties Thursday. The President's declaration allows HUD to offer foreclosure relief and other assistance to certain families. HUD is:

* Offering the state of Georgia the ability to re-allocate existing federal resources toward disaster relief. HUD's Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs give the State the flexibility to redirect millions of dollars to address critical needs, including housing and services for flood victims. HUD is currently contacting state and local officials to explore streamlining the department's CDBG and HOME programs in order to expedite the repair and replacement of damaged housing.

* Granting immediate foreclosure relief. HUD granted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration-insured home mortgages.

* Making mortgage insurance available. HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims who have lost their homes and are facing the task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.

* Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation. HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.

Offering Section 108 loan guarantee assistance. HUD will offer state and local governments federally guaranteed loans for housing rehabilitation, economic development and repair of public infrastructure.

For more information about these and other HUD programs designed to assist disaster victims, visit HUD's website at www.hud.gov.

IRS Disaster Relief

ATLANTA- Victims of recent severe storms and flooding in Georgia may qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service.

Following severe storms and flooding on Sept.18, the president declared Carroll, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Stephens counties federal disaster areas qualifying for individual assistance.

As a result, the IRS is postponing until Dec. 17 certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and certain other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between Sept. 18 and Dec. 17.

In addition, the IRS will waive the failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 18 and on or before Oct. 5, as long as the deposits were made by Oct. 5.

If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date, including an extended filing or payment due date, that falls within the Postponement Period.

IRS computer systems automatically identify taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and apply automatic filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at (866) 562-5227 to request tax relief.

PSC Offers Safety Tips to Consumers Hit by Flooding

ATLANTA- The Georgia Public Service Commission urges consumers to follow these safety tips if their home is affected by the recent floods.

Electric service:

* Avoid downed power lines. Treat any line down as if it were live. Stay away from downed trees that might have power lines tangled in them.

* Utility crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power to customers. However, in extremely flooded areas, the crews may not be able to reach customers to restore their power until the water recedes.

* Customers who have had damage to the electricity service entrance to their home may need to call an electrician to have it repaired before their utility can re-connect power.

* Customers who use a generator during an outage should ensure it is installed according to manufacturer's recommendations and local and state electrical codes to avoid accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, fire or other injury.

* Georgia Power is working with county inspection teams to ensure that heavily damaged homes are safe before reconnecting service.

Natural gas service:

Natural gas utilities are asking residents to leave their gas on as a safety precaution if they are forced to evacuate their residence. A gas company employee, qualified plumber or HVAC contractor should be the only individuals turning natural gas on or off.

Anyone returning home after the flood waters has subsided and who suspects their natural gas appliances have been flooded or damaged should have the equipment inspected and serviced by a qualified natural gas contractor.

Residents in the Atlanta Gas Light service territory should call 1-877-427-4321 if they believe they have a natural gas leak. Residents served by Atmos Energy should call 1-866-322-8667. Residents served by municipal natural gas systems should contact their local government offices or call 911. Natural gas is odorless, so for safety purposes, an odorant called "mercaptan" is added to generate a smell similar to rotten eggs. Customers who smell a natural gas odor should adhere to the following safety procedures:

Do not use any devices that might create a spark, such as light switches, phones, flashlights, or electric appliances, including computers.

Immediately have everyone leave the house.

Go to a nearby phone and call the natural gas utility to report the odor.

Keep everyone away from the building until given the "all clear" from a gas company employee.

For additional information, visit the Georgia Public Service Commission Web site, www.psc.state.ga.us.