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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Amy Susan (573) 751-1518
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 2, 2010

Unemployment Extensions Update
Department Creates Online Tool to Assist Claimants

Jefferson City, Mo— Many Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants have questions about the effects of the recent passage of the federal unemployment benefit extension, extending the deadlines for benefits that have previously established by U.S. Congress. To help provide information about the best way to get information, the Department has created a three-step process for claimants to help them determine whether or not they need to make contact with the department to partake in the extension.

“It is important for claimants to know we are working diligently to take their calls and process their claims,” says Department Director Larry Rebman. “At this time, we’ve created an online tool that will assist claimants in identifying the course of action they need to take for their particular claim. This tool should open up phone lines so that those who need to call and talk to a representative can do so.” 

The new tool is ONLY for claimants who have already exhausted benefits from June 2, 2010, to date. Claimants continuing to receive benefits and file their claims DO NOT need to call the Department in order to file for these extensions.

This tool has a three-step process:

1. Visit www.labor.mo.gov/extension and type in your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
2. A representative will send you an email notifying you of the benefit program you were on when the federal extensions ended on June 2, 2010.
3. Locate the benefit program you were on when you exhausted and read and follow the instructions on what to do next. Some claimants must call the department to file for these extensions and some do not have to call.

For more information about the unemployment extensions, please visit http://www.labor.mo.gov/des/notices.asp for up to date notices. You can also watch the recent Labor Talk podcast discussing the unemployment extensions at http://www.labor.mo.gov/News_Center/laborPodcasts.asp.

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