Missouri Unemployment Extension
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has extended its hours of operation and benefits. The Missouri Unemployment Extension may qualify some workers for an additional 13 weeks of benefits.
The claim centers have extended their hours of operation in order to give a more improved customer service during these tough times. The claims centers have been receiving a high volume of calls and have responded by adding an additional half hour in the morning and evening to be available for individuals. The phone lines are opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. Missourians that are eligible for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or EUC, benefits can file their claim at the local regional claims center.
It’s estimated that more than 53,000 workers in Missouri are eligible for the EUC. Many of these workers could qualify for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits. To be eligible, the worker must have exhausted unemployment benefits after May 1, 2007.
What are extended benefits?
When the national or Missouri unemployment rate exceeds a set level, individuals are entitled to receive additional weeks of benefit pay once their regular benefits are used up. On November 21, 2008, President Bush signed into law to provide the additional weeks of emergency unemployment. The applicant must file the initial claim for additional benefits at a regional claims center. The initial claim application cannot be made online at the http://www.ui.dolir.mo.gov/ website.
The unemployment benefits program is designed to provide needed benefits to individuals who have become unemployed through certain circumstances not of their doing. The benefits are based on the claimant’s past earnings covered by state or federal UC laws. Normally, these benefits are only available for a maximum of 26 weeks.
The Missouri Unemployment extension will allow individuals facing continued unemployment to receive additional weeks of benefits.