Missouri Unemployment

Missouri Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Missouri unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers who find themselves without a job through no fault of their own, and who also meet additional Missouri unemployment benefits eligibility requirements.

These benefits represent a financial safety net that helps lessen the overall negative effects of unemployment and lost wages on Missouri workers, their families, and the entire Missouri economy. The benefit program is funded through employment taxes paid by participating Missouri employers and is a key to economic recovery.

Missouri Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in Missouri?

As a general rule, any worker who applies for Missouri unemployment insurance must meet the following criteria:

• The claimant must show that the lost job was through no fault of their own – or that the employee quit for good cause, as defined by Missouri law.
• The claimant must have earned a wage of at least $2,250 – including at least $1,500 during one of the calendar quarters, and at least $750 during the remainder of the base period – from an insured employer during the base period for review.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Missouri

The state of Missouri encourages any unemployed workers to file an unemployment benefits claim as soon as they lose a job.

Missouri’s online claim system, UInteract, is mobile-friendly and available 24 hours a day. Claimants may use UInteract to file the initial claim, along with weekly requests for UI benefits payments. When you first access the system, you must set up a username and password for your account that can be used consistently moving forward for regular unemployment benefits.

The state of Missouri also maintains a phone claims filing system that is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the numbers listed below:

• Toll-Free: 800-320-2519
• Jefferson City: 573-751-9040
• Kansas City: 816-889-3101
• Springfield: 417-895-6851
• St. Louis: 314-340-4950

Another unemployment assistance resource available to unemployed workers in Missouri is the Missouri Job Center. The American Job Center program is a nationwide organization that helps connect a potential worker with an available employer. The Missouri Job Center can be a great tool in your job search.

Managing Your Missouri Unemployment Benefits

For each week you’d like to claim benefits, you must submit a weekly certification, which you may complete online. Simply log into the same claims filing system that you used to submit your initial claim and answer the questions about your job and earnings activities for the week before submitting your weekly unemployment claim. 

You must report all wages you’ve earned during the previous week, including tips, commissions, bonuses, show-up time, and military reserve drill pay in your weekly request. You must also show that you are able and available to work each day if a job is offered to you, and must report whether you declined any new work that was offered to you.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

You may request an appeal if you believe a decision was made in error and relevant facts were not appropriately considered. Specific instructions for filing your appeal will be clearly outlined within your determination letter.

After you submit your request for appeal, be prepared to participate in an appeals hearing. If you file an appeal to a determination and you do not participate in the hearing, your request for appeal will be dismissed and the determination regarding your unemployment claim will stay the same.

How Do I Report Fraud?

Unemployment insurance benefit fraud is a serious issue that threatens the integrity of Missouri’s state unemployment insurance program. Fraud places the financial security of the system at risk and wastes Missouri resident taxpayer dollars.

The Missouri Division of Employment Security takes seriously and fully investigates all fraud reports. Those found to have engaged in UI benefits fraud may have their UI benefits canceled,  be fined up to 100 percent of any overpayment amounts, and potentially face imprisonment.

 If you have information about someone who is potentially collecting unemployment compensation on a fraudulent basis, please use the state of Missouri’s online reporting form to voice your concerns.

Missouri Unemployment Office Locations