JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Tuesday announced that Missourians living or working in 19 counties who are unemployed due to recent severe storms and flooding may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance.

“This assistance will help workers who have been negatively impacted by the recent flooding and storms,” said Gov. Matt Blunt. “I am pleased the federal government responded quickly to our request for additional resources to help these workers.”

The counties are: Bollinger, Carter, Christian, Franklin, Greene, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Maries, Newton, Oregon, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, St. Francois, Stone, Texas, Washington, and Wayne.

Disaster unemployment assistance is intended for those who are not eligible for benefits under a state's regular unemployment insurance program. Farmers, the self-employed and others who are denied regular unemployment insurance benefits may now be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance.

Funds for this program are provided by the federal government and do not come from the state employer payroll taxes used to finance regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Missourians who need information about how to file a claim should call (800) 788-4002. Claims should be filed as soon as possible, but no later than April 30, 2008.