On Tuesday, Governor Blunt and the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced that Missourians living or working in 19 counties who are unemployed due to recent severe storms and flooding may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance, including Franklin County in the Westplex. Disaster unemployment assistance is for those who are not eligible for benefits from the regular unemployment program.

Farmers, the self-employed and others who are denied regular unemployment insurance benefits may now receive disaster unemployment assistance. Funds for this program are provided by the federal government and do not come from employer payroll taxes that normally finance   unemployment insurance benefits. Missourians who need information about how to file a claim should call (800) 788-4002.  Claims should be filed as soon as possible, but no later than May first of this year.