Eligibility for Unemployment Benefits

To be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefit payments, you must:

• Lose 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 $19,500 during two of the four base period quarters.
• Base Period Chart: Locate the month when you filed your claim in an unshaded box. Your base period is the shaded region directly left of it.

Special Notes:

• If your hours were reduced, you may also be eligible for partial UI benefits
• To remain eligible,
  • You must report all wages earned each week, even if you won’t be paid until later. This includes tips, commissions, bonuses, show-up time, military reserve pay, board, and lodging.
  • You must be able and available for work each week. This means you have no illness, injury, or personal circumstances that would keep you from working.
  • Refusing an offer of work may result in denial of UI benefits.
• Unless otherwise directed, report in person at least once every four weeks to a Missouri Career Center or other designated office. The Career Centers offer free skills assessments, career readiness certificates, personal job search consultations, and many other helpful services.
• PLEASE NOTE- The Division of Child Support Enforcement has the ability to intercept up to 50 percent of a claimant’s weekly benefits if they are delinquent on their child support payments. The Division of Employment Security does not have the ability to alter, remove, or add child support intercepts. Any questions regarding the interception of unemployment benefits for Child Support should be directed to Child Support Enforcement at 866-313-9960.