To be eligible for unemployment benefit payments in the State of Missouri, you must:

• have lost your job through no fault of your own OR quit for good cause related to the work or the employer.
• Make at least $2,250—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 your base period. (See chart below).
• AND your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter wages.
• OR you must make at least 1.5 times the taxable wage base during two of the four base period quarters.

Benefits can be paid within 22 days after establishing a new claim or renewing an established claim, unless an issue is being investigated. Any situation that requires a determination to be made regarding your eligibility to receive benefits is called an “issue”. An issue can take on average 4-6 weeks to be completed. If an issue arises on your claim, you are given the opportunity to provide information electronically via UInteract, through mailed questionnaire or by phone. A determination will be made even if you do not provide information. 

Be sure to file a weekly request for payment each week, even if you are not yet receiving a benefit payment.  You will not receive unemployment benefits for any week that was not requested in a timely manner.

Please nota that benefits may not be paid on the same day each week.  If eligible, payments are made the following business day after the week requested is processed.  This does not include weekends or State/Federal holidays.