Kansas Governor Sebelius Eliminates Wait For Unemployment Benefits In Disaster Area

Residents who lost jobs as a result of storm to receive help sooner

May 11, 2007 -- The complete destruction of the business district in Greensburg has left many residents without a source of income, and while they are eligible for unemployment benefits, the law currently requires a wait of one week before receiving those benefits.

A law taking effect July 1 eliminates that wait for workers who are part of a mass layoff, but to speed assistance to storm victims, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed an executive order eliminating the wait for residents of the disaster area.

“The people of Greensburg lost their homes and their livelihoods, and they shouldn’t have to wait for help. This action will help speed benefits to them so they can begin the rebuilding process,” said Sebelius.

Executive Order 07-11 eliminates the waiting week for unemployment benefits for workers in Kiowa, Barton, Edwards, Phillips, Pratt and Stafford counties.

Additionally, in response to flooding elsewhere in the state, Sebelius signed Executive Order 07-12, which suspends motor carrier rules for vehicles participating in disaster relief in the following counties: Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellsworth, Geary, Harper, Jackson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Lyon, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington and Wyandotte counties

This is similar to Executive Order 07-09 that lifted those rules for Kiowa, Barton, Edwards, Phillips, Pratt and Stafford counties.

Executive orders can be viewed online at http://www.governor.ks.gov/executive/Orders/.

Source: Kansas Governor