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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2009
Four Missouri Career Centers Closed Due to Severe Ice Storm
Department of Labor Suspends In-person Reporting required of the Unemployed
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Earlier this week, brutal winter weather dealt a serious blow to various regions throughout Missouri. A blanket of ice left in the wake of the storm’s path created hazardous road conditions that make travel difficult for drivers to navigate. As a result, the following Missouri Career Centers have been closed: Sikeston, Caruthersville, Kennett, and Poplar Bluff.
In addition, Gracia Backer, Division of Employment Security (DES) Acting Director, has suspended the required four-week in-person reporting for the following: Southwest Region (Barton, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, Newton, Stone, Barry, and McDonald counties); Ozark Region (Polk, Dallas, Greene, Webster, Christian, and Taney counties); South Central Region (Wright, Texas, Shannon, Douglas, Ozark, Howell, Oregon, Reynolds, Carter, Ripley, Butler, and Wayne counties); and Southeast Region (Iron, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Madison, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, and Dunklin counties).
Individuals who report to Career Centers in the above counties do not need to adhere to the in-person reporting that is typically required every four weeks. Instead, individuals should return the “Notice to Report” letter to the DES stating that his or her reporting requirement is suspended in accordance with the director’s order.
Power outages resulting from the ice storm have affected employers’ ability to access data necessary for reporting. Therefore, employers located in the affected areas that have state unemployment tax reports due Jan. 31, 2009, are asked to submit a letter with their report explaining the reason for the delay in the filing of the report and subsequent payment. This extension will be in effect through Feb. 27, 2009.
In the wake of this storm, we ask that Missourians receiving unemployment benefits and who are relieved of the in-person reporting requirements, consider performing acts of citizen service instead. You may assist your fellow Missourians who are suffering from the storm, by volunteering your services at a local soup kitchen, shelter, or other disaster-relief site.
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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)