Unemployment Benefits in Missouri
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Missouri provides up to 20 weeks of regular benefits; workers must have earned at least $1,500 in the base period to qualify.
How Missouri treats Unemployment Benefits
Missouri calculates weekly benefits as one-third of the worker's average weekly wage in the highest-earning quarter, up to a state maximum. Eligibility requires earning a minimum of $1,500 during the base period and working in at least two different weeks. The state offers extended benefits during recessions, potentially reaching 26 weeks total. Missouri requires claimants to register with the state's job service and actively search for suitable employment.
The general definition of Unemployment Benefits
Temporary income payments to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unemployment benefits are payments provided by the government to workers who have lost their jobs involuntarily and meet certain eligibility requirements. These benefits are funded by taxes that employers pay into a state unemployment insurance fund. To qualify, a worker typically must have been employed for a minimum period, have lost the job without quitting, and not have been fired for misconduct. Benefits are usually a percentage of the worker's prior wages and last for a limited time, often 26 weeks. Workers must actively search for new employment to continue receiving benefits.
Read the full Unemployment Benefits entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.