Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you earn wages equal to 6 times your weekly benefit amount. Each additional misconduct disqualification requires another 6 times your weekly benefit amount. In aggravated cases, the Division can cancel some or all of the wage credits from that employer.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

You can qualify if you quit with good cause attributable to the work or the employer, meaning a reason that would compel a reasonable employee to stop working, or a required separation because of illness or disability. You are not disqualified for quitting to take a better-paying job (and earning wages there), leaving temporary work to return to your regular employer, quitting unsuitable work within 28 calendar days, certain pregnancy-related separations, or relocating with a spouse under mandatory military orders. Otherwise you are disqualified until you earn 10 times your weekly benefit amount.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

You must lose your job through no fault of your own. If your hours were reduced, you may be eligible for partial benefits. If you have a recall date within eight weeks (or 16 weeks if your employer asks and the Division Director approves), the job center reporting and work search steps can be waived.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. You must have earned at least $2,250 from insured employers in the base period, with at least $1,500 in one quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter; or at least $19,500 in two of the four base period quarters.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Your weekly benefit amount is 4% of the average of your two highest base period quarters, rounded down to the whole dollar. Benefits range from $35 to $320 per week.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Up to 20 weeks in a benefit year. The most you can receive is the lesser of 20 times your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your base period wages.

Question 7

Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week, and you must still file a weekly request for payment for it. You may be paid for the waiting week as the last payment on your regular claim.

Question 8

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Complete at least three work search activities each week unless directed otherwise, and record them in case DES asks. Union members with a hiring or referral hall can meet the requirement by contacting the hall. Visit jobs.mo.gov or a Missouri Job Center, and report in person for reemployment services if you are notified.

Question 9

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Vacation or holiday pay, WARN Act pay, employer pensions and workers' compensation may be deducted from your benefits and must be reported on your weekly request.

Question 10

How do I apply for unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

File your claim online through UInteract or by calling your Regional Claims Center (claimant contact 800-320-2519). Then file a weekly request for payment every week in UInteract, as early as the Sunday after the week ends, reporting all gross earnings and any vacation or holiday pay. If eligible, payments usually start within 22 days of filing.

Question 11

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

You have 30 days from the date of the determination to appeal; the last day is printed on the determination. Appeal through UInteract, by mail to the DES Appeals Tribunal (P.O. Box 59, Jefferson City, MO 65104-0059) or by fax to 573-751-1321. Appeals cannot be filed by email or phone. Keep filing weekly requests while the appeal is pending.

Question 12

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

You can earn $20 or 20% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater, before your benefit is reduced. Earnings above that amount are subtracted from your weekly benefit amount, rounded down to the whole dollar. Report gross wages for the week you worked.

Question 13

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

For Missouri unemployment insurance, a worker's status as an employee or independent contractor depends on the employer's right to control the worker: anyone who performs services for wages is an employee if the employer can control what will be done and how. The Division of Employment Security uses the IRS twenty-factor test as a guide, not a bright-line rule. Missouri law also treats certain commission drivers and full-time traveling or city salespeople as employees.

Question 14

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Missouri unemployment claims are filed and managed in UInteract, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' online claimant system (the "File or Manage Unemployment Claim" link); you can also change your payment method there. Regional Claims Centers: Jefferson City 573-751-9040, Kansas City 816-889-3101, St. Louis 314-340-4950, Springfield 417-895-6851; outside these calling areas 800-320-2519.

If you were fired	If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you earn wages equal to 6 times your weekly benefit amount. Each additional misconduct disqualification requires another 6 times your weekly benefit amount. In aggravated cases, the Division can cancel some or all of the wage credits from that employer. Source: RSMo 288.050.2; Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers
If you quit	You can qualify if you quit with good cause attributable to the work or the employer, meaning a reason that would compel a reasonable employee to stop working, or a required separation because of illness or disability. You are not disqualified for quitting to take a better-paying job (and earning wages there), leaving temporary work to return to your regular employer, quitting unsuitable work within 28 calendar days, certain pregnancy-related separations, or relocating with a spouse under mandatory military orders. Otherwise you are disqualified until you earn 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Source: RSMo 288.050.1
Layoffs and reduced hours	You must lose your job through no fault of your own. If your hours were reduced, you may be eligible for partial benefits. If you have a recall date within eight weeks (or 16 weeks if your employer asks and the Division Director approves), the job center reporting and work search steps can be waived. Source: Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers
Earnings needed to qualify	The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. You must have earned at least $2,250 from insured employers in the base period, with at least $1,500 in one quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter; or at least $19,500 in two of the four base period quarters. Source: Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers (Eligibility)
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	For Missouri unemployment insurance, a worker's status as an employee or independent contractor depends on the employer's right to control the worker: anyone who performs services for wages is an employee if the employer can control what will be done and how. The Division of Employment Security uses the IRS twenty-factor test as a guide, not a bright-line rule. Missouri law also treats certain commission drivers and full-time traveling or city salespeople as employees. Source: Missouri Department of Labor, Division of Employment Security, IRS 20-Factor Test: Classifying Employees for Unemployment Insurance Tax Purposes

Weekly benefit amount	Your weekly benefit amount is 4% of the average of your two highest base period quarters, rounded down to the whole dollar. Benefits range from $35 to $320 per week. The $320 maximum has applied to claims since 2008 under RSMo 288.038. Source: Missouri DES, Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Missouri (MODES-INF-288, 10-25); RSMo 288.038
How many weeks	Up to 20 weeks in a benefit year. The most you can receive is the lesser of 20 times your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your base period wages. Source: Missouri DES, Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Missouri (MODES-INF-288, 10-25)
Waiting week	Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week, and you must still file a weekly request for payment for it. You may be paid for the waiting week as the last payment on your regular claim. Source: Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers (Waiting Week)
Working part-time on benefits	You can earn $20 or 20% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater, before your benefit is reduced. Earnings above that amount are subtracted from your weekly benefit amount, rounded down to the whole dollar. Report gross wages for the week you worked. Source: Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers (Part-Time Work)
Severance and vacation pay	Vacation or holiday pay, WARN Act pay, employer pensions and workers' compensation may be deducted from your benefits and must be reported on your weekly request. The agency pamphlet does not list ordinary severance pay as deductible. Source: Missouri DES, Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Missouri (MODES-INF-288, 10-25)

How to apply	File your claim online through UInteract or by calling your Regional Claims Center (claimant contact 800-320-2519). Then file a weekly request for payment every week in UInteract, as early as the Sunday after the week ends, reporting all gross earnings and any vacation or holiday pay. If eligible, payments usually start within 22 days of filing. Source: Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers
Work search requirements	Complete at least three work search activities each week unless directed otherwise, and record them in case DES asks. Union members with a hiring or referral hall can meet the requirement by contacting the hall. Visit jobs.mo.gov or a Missouri Job Center, and report in person for reemployment services if you are notified. Source: Missouri DES, Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Missouri (MODES-INF-288, 10-25)
Appealing a denial	You have 30 days from the date of the determination to appeal; the last day is printed on the determination. Appeal through UInteract, by mail to the DES Appeals Tribunal (P.O. Box 59, Jefferson City, MO 65104-0059) or by fax to 573-751-1321. Appeals cannot be filed by email or phone. Keep filing weekly requests while the appeal is pending. Source: Missouri DES, How to File an Appeal
Logging in and filing weekly claims	Missouri unemployment claims are filed and managed in UInteract, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' online claimant system (the "File or Manage Unemployment Claim" link); you can also change your payment method there. Regional Claims Centers: Jefferson City 573-751-9040, Kansas City 816-889-3101, St. Louis 314-340-4950, Springfield 417-895-6851; outside these calling areas 800-320-2519. UInteract login: https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/ Source: Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Unemployed Workers

Missouri Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply

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