Jobless benefits available because of Missouri storms

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missourians in 28 counties who lost work because of last month's severe storms now are eligible to apply for up to 26 weeks of jobless benefits.

A person must be unemployed as a direct result of storms, tornadoes and flooding that hit parts of Missouri from May 8 through May 16.

Included are the self-employed; those who lost work because they couldn't travel through an affected area; and those whose businesses lost a majority of their income from an entity that was damaged.

Assistance also is available to people who cannot work because of a storm-related injury.

The storm-related unemployment benefits are available to individuals in 28 counties, because President Barack Obama declared a major disaster from the storms.