12/28/2021
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State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her third report on unemployment
benefits received by Missourians through COVID-19 response funding from the
federal government. The report shows that, through October 2021, more than
740,000 Missouri citizens received approximately $5.37 billion in benefits made
available under several programs.
Several federal laws enacted and executive actions taken
in 2020 and 2021 provided for additional unemployment assistance, including the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, and
American Rescue Plan Act. Most assistance programs were set to
expire in September, but Gov. Parson announced in May that Missouri would end participation in all
pandemic-related unemployment benefits effective June 12.
The report from Auditor Galloway shows that,
through October 31, Missouri citizens have received $5.366 billion in
unemployment benefits, which were funded by the federal government and
administered by Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
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. The Auditor's Office issued its
first report on
unemployment benefits last December.
A
copy of the most recent 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.