Disaster Unemployment, Crisis Counseling, Legal Help Available For Disaster Victims in Clinton County 

Release Date: July 30, 2007
Release Number: 1708-026

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missourians living or working in Clinton County who are unemployed due to the severe storms and flooding of May 5-18 are now eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), according to the State Emergency Management Agency, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

DUA is intended for those who are not eligible for benefits under a state's regular unemployment insurance program, including farmers and the self-employed. For information on filing a claim, call 1-800-788-4002. Claims should be filed no later than Aug. 25.

DUA filing is available 30 days following a federal disaster declaration. Since Clinton County was added July 24 to the June 11 federal disaster declaration for FEMA's Individual Assistance (IA) program, the deadline to apply for DUA is Aug. 25. The deadline has passed for residents and workers in the other 17 counties declared earlier for IA.

Crisis counselors can assist with any emotional stress caused by the recent disasters or any other cause. The CommCare Crisis Line at 1-888-279-8188 is available to residents of Clinton County as is the Missouri Department of Mental Health referral line at 1-800-364-9687.

The Young Lawyers' Section (YLS) of The Missouri Bar offers free disaster legal help to disaster victims needing to replace lost documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and mortgage papers, or who need help with insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer protection problems and other legal issues. Individuals with needs related to the May 5-18 storms should call 1-800-829-4128, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Callers are directed to leave daytime contact information and a brief description of the legal issue. A legal representative will contact them.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Jul-2007 15:24:24