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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Quetsch (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2007
Missouri Unemployment Claims Follow Seasonal Pattern
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations today announced that the number of initial unemployment benefit claims filed in December 2006 declined compared to the same period last year.
In December 2006, the number of initial unemployment claims filed was 43,578, a decrease of 1,729 over the number of claims filed in December 2005. The number of weekly unemployment claims filed during the same period declined from 192,450 in 2005 to 188,293 in 2006, a decrease of 4,157 claims. Missouri has experienced both a decrease in the number of initial claims filed for December and a decrease in initial and weekly claims filed over the past 12 months compared to the previous year. The decrease in initial claims was 11,694 or 3.1 percent, while the reduction in weekly claims was 225,308 or 8.6 percent.
“While Missouri continues to experience relatively low unemployment, the data also reflects normal seasonal patterns for this time of year,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Inclement weather creates temporary layoffs in the winter months, and the Department is prepared to handle the additional workload.”
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 at www.moclaim.com or by contacting the Regional Claims Center in your area Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following:
Jefferson City (573) 751-9040, Kansas City (816) 889-3101, Springfield (417) 895-6851 and St. Louis (314) 340-4950. If outside the calling area: (800) 320-2519.
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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)