Filing Weekly Claims for Unemployment Benefits in Missouri

You filed your initial claim for unemployment benefits in Missouri, and you are eligible for benefits. Now what?

You must file a claim each week. There are two ways to do this: by calling one of the Regional Claims Centers in Jefferson City, Springfield, Kansas City, or St. Louis; or by going online to www.moclaims.com. The Regional Claims Centers have an automated system that you can use to file a claim without waiting on hold to speak with a representative. Benefit weeks run from Sunday to Saturday. Your weekly claim for unemployment benefits must be filed within 14 days of the end of the week that you are claiming benefits for.

Before you call or log on to the website, get the information on any income that you earned during the week, including vacation or holiday pay. If you were self-employed, you will need to enter the number of hours worked, whether you earned money or not.

When you file your weekly claim, the system will ask you a few questions. The first question will ask you to confirm your address. If you have moved, notify the unemployment division immediately! The second question makes sure you understand that you can be penalized for giving false answers.

Next, you are asked what money you earned during that benefit week. Report the money you earned, even if you haven't been paid yet. If you have National Guard pay, call the Regional Claims Center between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm to talk to a representative. Earning wages from part-time work will not prevent you from collecting benefits. Some of the money you earned will be deducted from your unemployment benefit payment.

The final question in filing a weekly claim for unemployment benefits is whether you were able to work and available for work each day during the week. If you were sick or had personal circumstances that made you unable to work or unavailable for work, enter "no" for this question. If you are enrolled in school and would be unable to work full time, also enter "no" for this question. You may not be eligible for benefits for a week that you were unable to work.

While you are receiving unemployment benefits in Missouri, you must look for work. Keep records of the employers you contact, but do not submit your records to the Unemployment Division unless they ask for them.

When you return to work full-time, stop filing claims for unemployment benefits. Don't forget that benefits are taxable! You will receive a form 1099 to use when you file your income taxes.