Assistance available to businesses, workers affected by floods

Missourians working in Greene, Andrew, Cass, Holt, Johnson, Nodaway, Stone, Taney, Vernon and Webster counties have until Aug. 22 to file for disaster unemployment assistance, according to a DOLIR news release.

Disaster unemployment assistance is intended for those who are ineligible for benefits under a state’s regular unemployment insurance program. Farmers, self-employed individuals and others who are denied regular unemployment insurance benefits may now be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance. Funding comes from the federal government, and not from state employer payroll taxes used to finance regular unemployment benefits, the release said.

Missourians who need information about how to file a claim should call (800) 788-4002.

Also Wednesday, Blunt announced a plan to connect those who have lost jobs due to recent flooding with new career opportunities, and to help affected businesses cut through bureaucratic red tape to access and train new workers.

“Missourians are beginning to rebuild their lives and businesses after the floods. For some workers, this means looking for new employment – and for some companies, it means navigating through the bureaucracy,” Blunt said in a separate news release. “This plan will help speed up the recovery process by providing vital assistance to flood-impacted companies and workers.”

The plan, which required approval from the U.S. Department of Labor to waive parts of federal work force legislation, will provide employment for affected Missourians in cleanup and recovery efforts, allow more flexibility with local area work force funds, help compensate employers for training costs and authorize other key improvements.

A key component of the plan is the designation of Missouri as a WorkFlex state. This designation reduces the burden on companies to train workers, allowing more flexibility to provide specific skill training. The waiver will be in effect through June 30, 2009, according to the release.