RALEIGH – Some Twin Counties residents who are out of work due to Hurricane Irene only have a few days left to apply for unemployment benefits.

Nash and Edgecombe counties are in a group of 24 counties where the application deadline is Wednesday, a release from the N.C. Employment Security Commission says.

The commission can pay benefits to certain categories of workers to compensate for income lost to the storm. People who are eligible include farmers, agricultural workers, the self-employed and other workers not covered under regular unemployment insurance programs.

The deadline for two other counties – Halifax and Lenior – is today, followed by the final deadline for another two counties – Pender and Wayne – set for Oct. 11. The first deadline, which covered seven coastal counties, was Friday.

For information, contact the commission by email at esc.dua@ncesc.gov or by phone at 866-795-8877.