The Department of Labor says at least a thousand people are out of work because of the flooding in Southeast Missouri, and that’s not counting farmers. Assistance is available.

Director Larry Rebman says resources are available now for those out of work because their homes are underwater or they can’t get to work.

Rebman says everyone out of work because of the flood — farmers too — should also fill out an unemployment claim. He says if rejected, they could qualify for federal funds if and when President Obama declares a disaster.

Though there is no deadline to file a claim, Rebman urges those affected in ten-county flooded region in Southeast Missouri to get online or the phone and get their applications in. Go to moclaim.mo.gov for more informaition on how to file. Those without internet access can call 800-320-2519.

According to the DOLIR website:

All affected workers, owners, farmers, employers, and employees in the southeastern part of the state affected by flooding and unable to work should file for regular unemployment benefits. The only way to file an unemployment claim is by phone or by the internet.

Internet: Please visit www.moclaim.mo.gov. The Internet Claim Filing System is available 24 hours a day, except between 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:31 a.m. on Sunday, Central Time.

Telephone: Missouri Unemployment Claims Center Phone number 1-800-320-2519. The telephone filing system is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Regional Claims Centers (RCC) answers calls in the order they are received. You must call from a touch-tone phone. Your call will be answered by an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System. You will be given a menu of services. Once you are on the line to speak with a representative, do not hang up and call back. That will only increase your wait time by putting you again at the back of the call line.

Individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Once the Disaster declaration has been declared by the President, the public will be notified and only then can applications for DUA be filed

Due to flood conditions, the Missouri Department of Labor is suspending for 30 days the requirement that people receiving unemployment benefits must check in, in-person, every four-weeks to career centers in ten counties in southeast Missouri. The suspension applies only to those receiving unemployment benefits in the following counties: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Stoddard, Scott, Wayne.

Affected flood victims filing unemployment claims should continue to search for work, make the required contacts with potential employers, keep record of these contacts on their work search record, and be able and available for work. Individuals should return the “Notice to Report” letter to the Division of Employment Security stating that this reporting requirement is temporarily suspended in accordance with the director’s order.