About the Division of Employment Security

The Division of Employment Security collects tax contributions from employers and pays unemployment benefits to individuals who are determined eligible under the law. State unemployment contributions paid by Missouri employers into the Missouri Trust Fund are set aside for the sole purpose of providing for the payment of weekly unemployment benefits to qualified claimants. The unemployment benefits paid to insured workers help to maintain the economy of the state during periods of economic downturn by helping preserve the level of consumer purchasing power.

The Division of Employment Security (DES) is the state agency responsible for the administration of the unemployment insurance (UI) benefit and tax program. The DES has responsibility to both workers and employers.

The DES strives to administer the employer tax provisions of the law equitably in accordance with the intent of the General Assembly of the State of Missouri. An effort is made to tax employers as little as possible while at the same time providing essential (UI) benefits to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are able, available, and actively seeking work.

The Missouri Employment Security Laws must conform to certain standards in the Federal Unemployment Tax Law administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. By conforming to this law, Missouri employers are allowed to take a credit on federal unemployment tax returns if state unemployment taxes are paid timely. This credit is allowed regardless of an employer’s state tax rate.

In Missouri, unemployment taxes are paid entirely by employers who are liable under the Missouri Employment Security Law, found at Chapter 288 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. No deductions are made from the workers’ wages.

Wage information and other confidential UI information may be requested and utilized for other governmental purposes including, but not limited to, verification of an individual’s eligibility for other government programs.

About the Director

Missouri Governor Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon appointed Gracia Yancey Backer to serve as Director of the Division of Employment Security on Jan. 12, 2009.

In this position, Backer oversees the state’s unemployment insurance program and works to ensure prompt payment of unemployment benefits to eligible claimants, collects employer contributions, and investigates claimant and employer fraud.

Backer, a former State Representative, has 18 years’ experience in the Missouri House of Representatives. She previously held the position as Director of the Division of Employment Security from 2001-2005. Backer has the distinction of being the first woman in the history of Missouri to serve as Assistant Majority Floor Leader (1991-1994) and Majority Floor Leader (1996-1998).

Backer attended Southwest Missouri State University and graduated from William Woods University in May 1993.

The governor appoints the Director of the Division of Employment Security with the advice and consent of the Missouri State Senate.

 Important Notices

Meet the Unemployment Council
County Unemployment Benefits Statistics
UI Trust Fund Projections
Important Unemployment Notices