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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2005
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS CONTINUE TO DECLINE
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri has experienced another month of declining initial and continued unemployment insurance claims filed by unemployed workers. According to a report from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Employment Security, fewer Missourians filed initial and continued unemployment insurance claims in August.
In August 2005, the number of initial unemployment claims filed was 25,650, a decrease of 14 percent from 29,823 claims filed in August 2004. For the same period, 227,920 continued claims were filed, down 14.5 percent from last year’s figure of 266,583.
“Missouri’s economy has recognized substantial growth since January,” said Tom Deuschle, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “This growth has contributed to the decline in the filing of unemployment claims and is a direct result of Governor Matt Blunt’s economic and job growth initiatives. While these numbers are encouraging, it will take more time and more prudent financial planning on the part of the administration for the state to fully recover from the four-year economic decline the Governor inherited.”
Over 50,000 jobs were added in Missouri since January 2005, with manufacturing adding 5,600 jobs and education and health services adding 2,900 jobs. The unemployment rate in August was 4.6 percent, the lowest in four years according to a Missouri Department of Economic Development report.
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 or via the Internet at www.ui.dolir.state.mo.us.
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Information and Planning · 3315 W. Truman
Blvd.
· P.O. Box 1958 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-1958
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)