Missouri Unemployment Claims Spike After Government Shutdown
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Missouri Unemployment Claims Spike After Government Shutdown

Date: October 8, 2013
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
State's around the country have seen a spike in unemployment claims since the beginning of the government shut down, and Missouri has adjusted the whole claims system just to keep up.
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Wrap: Missouri Department of Labor spokesman Tom Bastian says last week's 10.4 percent rise in unemployment claims filed is the highest he's ever seen.

Bastian says the spike has forced the Department to adjust.

Actuality:  BASTIAN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: We've decided to extend our hours of operation for the regional claims centers. We'll be extending those from 7:30 am to 6 pm."

 

Centers will also be open on Columbus day.

Other states have seen similar jumps in claims filed.

Arkansas officials say almost all 835 people who filed claims last week were furloughed federal workers,

and Kansas officials say they're getting 10 times more phone calls than normal about unemployment benefits. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton, newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro: 
After just one week of the federal shut down, A department of labor official says he he is seeing the highest spike in unemployment claims in recent memory.
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OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: With just under one million federal employees furloughed last week Missouri unemployment claims climbed by 10.4 percent.

Department of labor spokesman Tom Bastian says businesses affected by the federal government contribute to the highest spike in unemployment claims he's ever seen.

Actuality:  BASTIAN.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: Like if there's a restaurant right near a federal building and employees usually come out and eat at that restaurant. Cases like that."

Kansas Department of Labor officials say they got ten times more calls than normal for unemployment benefits last week -- nearly all from federal employees.

The Missouri Department of labor has extended hours to combat the spike.

Offices will be open from 7:30 am to 6 pm and will remain open on Columbus Day.

Reporting from the state Capitol, Brendan Cullerton, newsradio 1120, KMOX