Division of Employment Security

Vision Statement: To promote economic vitality, safety, and fairness for Missouri’s businesses and workers

The Division of Employment Security (DES) supports the Department's vision statement by administering the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. In Missouri, it is a joint state-federal program funded solely through tax contributions paid by employers, so no deductions are made from employees’ paychecks for this insurance. All tax contributions are deposited into the Missouri Unemployment Compensation Fund (UTF). Payments of benefits under the regular UI program are made from the UTF to eligible claimants.

About the Director

Allen Andrews - Director, Division of Employment Security

Allen Andrews is a former member of the Missouri House of Representatives and represented constituents in Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth Counties (District 1). He served four terms and resigned in November 2022 to fill the position of Acting Division Director of Employment Security. Andrews holds a B.S. in Marketing and Business Management from Northwest Missouri State University. He has served on the SSM-St. Francis Hospital & Health Services Board of Trustees; Worth County R-III School Board; and For God’s Children International Board. He is a member of the National Federation of Independent Business; Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation; Missouri Farm Bureau; and a past member of the International Housewares Manufacturers Association. Andrews devoted his professional life to serving as President and co-owner of his family’s manufacturing company in Northwest Missouri.