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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2006
Unemployed Workers are Claiming Fewer Weeks of Unemployment Benefits
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations today announced that fewer Missourians are filing weekly unemployment benefit claims compared to the same period last year.
In September 2006, the number of continued (weekly) unemployment claims filed declined from 167,996 in 2005 to 154,699, a decrease of eight percent. The number of initial unemployment claims filed during the same period rose from 22,894 in 2005 to 29,311. Missouri has experienced a decrease in initial and weekly claims filed over the past 24 months. The decrease in initial claims was 29,216, or eight percent while the reduction in weekly claims was 355,578, or 13 percent.
For the 12 month period ending June 30, 2006, the average duration to claim unemployment benefits was 14.6 weeks, below the national average of 15.3 weeks. “The duration of time unemployed workers claim unemployment benefits continues to decrease,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor. “This is a reflection of Missouri’s growing economy with over 40,000 new jobs created under Governor Blunt.”
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is responsible for providing unemployment benefits to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligible individuals may qualify for up to 26 weeks of unemployment compensation.
Unemployed Missourians may file for benefits by phone at (800) 320-2519 or via the Internet at www.moclaim.com .
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)