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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2005
Fewer Weekly Unemployment Benefits Filed
Jefferson City – 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 2005, the number of continued (weekly) unemployment claims filed declined from 199,821 in 2004 to 167,996, a decrease of 16 percent. The number of initial unemployment claims filed during the same period was relatively unchanged. Last month, 22,894 initial claims were filed, less than one percent increase over last year’s figure of 22,808.
Missouri’s unemployment rate for September remained at a four year low of 4.8 percent and was 1.1 points below the rate a year ago according to a report from the Department of Economic Development. So far this year, more than 38,000 new jobs have been created in Missouri. “We are pleased with the substantial gains Missouri has experienced in job growth since Governor Blunt took office,” said Tom Deuschle, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Strong economic conditions certainly affect the job market and influence the number of unemployment claims we receive.”
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 http://www.ui.dolir.mo.gov/.
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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)