Missouri residents have until next week to apply for disaster unemployment assistance

In this May 23, 2019 file photo, tornado damage is seen in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
In this May 23, 2019 file photo, tornado damage is seen in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Missouri residents who lost jobs or whose work was interrupted due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding have until Friday to apply for disaster unemployment assistance from the state.

Missourians have until Aug. 9 to apply for up to 26 weeks of disaster unemployment assistance through the Missouri Department of Labor, according to a Friday news release from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Those eligible must have either lost their jobs due to the disaster or can no longer do the work that was their primary source of income, according to the news release. Self-employed workers who lost their jobs as a direct result of the disaster or those who can't work or continue being self-employed because of an injury for the disaster are also eligible.

Eligible residents must live in one of the 20 Missouri counties impacted by severe storms and flooding that occurred April 29 through July 5.

The counties designated under President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration are Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Cole, Greene, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Lafayette, Lincoln, Livingston, Miller, Osage, Pike, Platte, Pulaski and St. Charles.

The Missouri Department of Labor will accept the applications from those in 20 counties affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred April 29 through July 5.

"Individuals can only receive benefits for as long as they are without a job because of the disaster," the news release notes.

Residents can file a claim by visiting labor.mo.gov/unemployed-workers.

Residents can also register for disaster assistance through FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Those registering with FEMA can call 800-621-3362, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or visit one of FEMA's disaster recovery centers.

The Cole County FEMA disaster recovery center is located at 1736 Southridge Drive and is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Residents can apply for a low-interest disaster loan from SBA by calling 1-800-659-2955, visiting disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, or visiting one of FEMA's disaster recovery centers.

The SBA business recovery center in Jefferson City closed Friday.