Missouri Unemployment Insurance (UI) helps unemployed workers in the state of Missouri through financial benefits during the period of unemployment. For unemployed workers to receive any benefits through UI program, their unemployment should not be their own fault. A worker will not receive benefits if he or she is unemployed because he quit the job, got fired on grounds of misconduct or on any other legal ground for termination of employment contract.

To receive UI benefits, you should've worked in the state of Missouri during the period of last 12 to 18 weeks. You will also have to meet certain requirements related to wages you earned during the base period. You can file your first claim for benefits online as well as through the phone.

Once qualified, you'll receive your benefits through Missouri Access MasterCard. You can also choose to receive benefits through Direct Deposit. If you choose to receive benefits through Missouri Access MasterCard, you can avoid withdrawl fee by using Central Bank of Jefferson City ATM machine. Allpoint ATM machines will also process your withdraw without any cost.

You will have to continue meeting certain requirements throughout the period during which you receive benefits. For instance, if you don't send your weekly report, your benefits will be cancelled. Similarly, you should remain physically able and available for work during benefit period. You will also be required to meet with Missouri Career Center agent once every four weeks.

When you file for claims, you will have to agree to participate in work and training programs. You will also have to agree to accept appropriate employment if offered. Once you are back on job, your benefits will end. However, a claim once started, remains active for up to an year. You can start receiving your benefits at any time during the year if you become unemployed again. To stop receiving benefits, you just have to stop filing weekly reports.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to receive benefits payments through Missouri Unemployment Insurance program, you will have to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You should have worked in the state of Missouri during last 12 to 18 months.
• The unemployment should not be due to your fault. If employer reduced work hours or ended the job due to business-related reasons, you can qualify for UI benefits.
• You should have made $1,500 during any month of the calendar quarter. You should have made at least $750 during the remainder of the base period. If you made $19,500 during any two months of your base period, you can still qualify for the UI benefits. Click here to view a chart to determine your base period.
• You should be available and physically able to work at the time of filing for UI benefits.

To continue receiving benefits once you qualify, you will have to continue meeting general as well as some special requirements. For instance:

• You should file report each week, providing details about your wages earned during the week. You should include income 'earned' during the week even if it is not paid by the end of the week.
• You should be able to work throughout the period you receive such benefits.
• You should remain available for work. You should be able to start working as soon as you get an appropriate opportunity. Sickness, disability, and personal circumstances keeping you away from work will mean that you don't have continued eligibility for UI benefits.
• You should report to Missouri Career Center once every four weeks. You can be directed to report at a designated office and the period of reporting can also be changed by UI.
• You should cooperate with Child Support to continue receiving UI benefits. Child Support can intercept up to 50% of your benefits in case you fail to cooperate with it.

Eligibility for partial benefits

You can qualify to receive partial benefits through UI program if:

• Your employer had reduced your work hours to less than your usual work hours
• You have part-time work only.
• You meet eligibility criteria for UI benefits except for condition of being unemployed.

Unemployment Application Instructions

In order to start a claim, you can contact Missouri Unemployment Insurance either through phone or through the internet.

Start a Claim Online

You can file a claim Online any time you want except Sunday. Click here to file your new claim Online.

You can also file your weekly certification through this link. Just make sure you are clicking the appropriate link when on the website.

Click here to check the status of an existing claim.

Start a Claim by Phone

You can use telephone to file a claim between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any working day. You call will be answered by an agent at Regional Claims Centers (RCC). When calling, make sure that you are calling from a touch-tone type phone that is set to TONE. Usually, public phones work well for calling for starting a claim.

All the calls made to RCC for starting a claim are answered through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to enhance efficiency of the system. If you follow the instructions carefully, you will find it easy to complete your claim on the phone without needing any further assistance.

How to File an Appeal

An appeal can be filed by any of the interested parties i.e. employer or claimant. Even a licensed attorney can file appeal on behalf of any of the parties. The appeal doesn't have to be on any specific form. However, the written letter filed for appeal should contain the following information.

Your appeal should include claimant's name, Social Security Number, name of employer, date, issue number, and subject matter. You should also include the reason for disagreement with the decision and sign the appeal before filing it.

Remember, you cannot file appeals by email or telephone. However, you can fax or mail them to the address provided in the determination. The time period for filing an appeal is 30 days from the date of determination.