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.