12/21/2020
State
Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report showing that, through October,
more than 500,000 Missouri citizens received almost $3.8 billion in
unemployment benefits through COVID-19 response funding from the federal
government. The report is part of Auditor Galloway's effort to ensure
transparency in how federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response
are being spent by the state.
"Thousands
of Missouri families lost their jobs during this health crisis through no fault
of their own, and these programs have provided a lifeline to them," said Auditor Galloway. "This
report shows the impact of the pandemic and the extent of assistance needed.
Missourians continue to need support because the economic effects of this
crisis are not over."
Several
federal laws enacted and executive actions taken in 2020 provided unemployment
assistance, including the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response
Act. Some of those assistance programs have already ended; others are scheduled
to end on Dec. 31, 2020.
The
report from Auditor Galloway shows that, through Oct. 31, Missouri citizens
have received $3.76 billion in unemployment benefits, which were funded by the
federal government and administered by Missouri Department of Labor. Government
agencies and nonprofit organizations in Missouri received an additional $22.82
million through the federal programs.
A
copy of the report on federal unemployment funding can be found here.
The
Auditor's Office also has an online tool to give Missourians a detailed look at
expenditures. The COVID-19 Response
page tracks not only how much is received and
expended in relief funds, but also lists which state and local government
departments, vendors and expense categories are receiving the most funding. The
information on the website provides data on expenditures and is regularly updated.
