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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2006
Unemployment Insurance Claims Continue to Decline
Jefferson City – The number of initial unemployment insurance claims filed in January fell by 11,637 or 22.3 percent compared to the same period last year according to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The number of continued unemployment insurance claims also dropped for the same period, down 29,123 or 13.7 percent.
“Governor Blunt has focused state policies on creating jobs and reducing unemployment, said Katharine Barondeau, acting director of the Missouri Department of Labor. “Job growth over the past year has been very healthy in Missouri and as a result, fewer unemployment claims are being filed.”
Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment for December was 5.1 percent, down from 5.6 percent in November and nearly a full point below the 6 percent unemployment rate in January 2005. In addition, 7,600 new jobs were created in December bringing the total number of new jobs created in 2005 to 38,300, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
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.mo.gov.
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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)