Legislation will provide $105 million in immediate assistance to Missourians looking for work, inject critical resources into state's growing economy
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (April 13, 2011) - Gov. Jay Nixon today signed House Bill 163, which will provide an additional 20 weeks of unemployment assistance to Missourians who have exhausted state and emergency federal assistance. State unemployment officials estimate that approximately 10,000 Missourians will begin to receive this extended assistance immediately, and an additional 24,000 could receive extended assistance by Jan. 7, 2012.
House Bill 163 temporarily provides an additional 20 weeks of assistance to Missourians who have already exhausted 79 weeks of regular and emergency assistance. The federal government will pay for 100 percent of the extended assistance. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations estimates that the extension of this assistance will inject approximately $105 million into the state's economy through the end of calendar year 2011.
"Less than two weeks ago, I called on the members of the Missouri Senate to roll up their sleeves and provide this extended assistance for unemployed Missourians who are struggling to make ends meet," Gov. Nixon said. "I appreciate the leaders from both sides of the aisle who joined me in standing up for Missouri families who need our help now to put food on the table, fill prescriptions and keep the lights on. When our friends and neighbors lose their jobs through no fault of their own, it's up to all of us to help them get back on their feet and back to work."
The bill passed the Missouri Senate by a vote of 28-to-5, and in the Missouri House of Representatives by a vote of 138-to-13.
Missourians who are eligible for these additional weeks of assistance will begin to receive payments within a matter of days. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will notify Missourians who are eligible for this extended assistance. For Missourians who are eligible for this assistance but have experienced a temporary delay in payments, the department will issue retroactive payments.
During the legislative process, an amendment was included to reduce regular unemployment assistance for individuals who become unemployed in the future. This change would lower the number of weeks of regular benefits for which an individual would be eligible to receive assistance from 26 to 20. Gov. Nixon said that providing immediate assistance to families in need had to be the top priority.
"Thousands of Missouri families are struggling to make ends meet right now, and it was vital that we provide extended assistance to these families immediately," Gov. Nixon said.
For more information about unemployment assistance, Missourians can visit the Missouri Department of Labor's website, which is accessible through MO.gov.
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