---

FOR PRESS INQUIRIES, CONTACT:  Amy Susan (573) 751-1518
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 1, 2011

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Deadline Approaching
Six Missouri Counties Must File by July 5

Jefferson City, Mo- On May 9, Governor Jay Nixon announced that his request for a major disaster declaration had been granted by President Barack Obama, opening the door for Missourians in the declared counties whose employment was lost or interrupted due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 19, 2011, to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Claimants in the following six counties must file a DUA claim by July 5, 2011: Bollinger, Dunklin, Pemiscot, Phelps, Reynolds, and St. Francois. Those in four other Missouri counties also have approaching deadlines to file a DUA claim. Individuals who file from Pettis county have no later than July 14, 2011 to file a DUA claim. Those in Carter, Lawrence and Wayne counties have no later than July 23, 2011 to file a DUA claim. To view full list of declared disaster counties and deadlines, visit labor.mo.gov/disaster.

DUA is intended for those who are not eligible for benefits under a state’s regular unemployment insurance program. Farmers, self-employed Missourians, and others who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits may now be eligible for DUA. Funds for this program are provided by the federal government and do not come from the state employer payroll taxes used to finance regular unemployment benefits.

Individuals who may be eligible for assistance should call (800) 788-4002 for information about filing a claim. To file a DUA claim, call your Regional Claims Center (see below). The hours to call are between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Missourians impacted by the severe storms and flooding in all the declared counties can register for additional assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362, TTY (800) 462-7585, or register with FEMA online at www.fema.gov.  For more information, visit labor.mo.gov/disaster.  

Regional Claims Centers (RCC):
Jefferson City RCC
Local Calling Area 573-751-9040
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519
Kansas City RCC
Local Calling Area 816-889-3101
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519
Springfield RCC
Local Calling Area 417-895-6851
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519
St. Louis RCC
Local Calling Area 314-340-4950
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

###