Missouri Unemployment Insurance Program

The Missouri Department of Labor’s Division of Employment Security (DES) operates the state’s unemployment insurance program. Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial help to workers who lose their jobs or have their work hours cut through no fault of their own. Unemployment insurance benefits can help ensure unemployed workers can pay bills, purchase necessities, and remain in their homes while they search for suitable work. The DES distributes weekly unemployment benefits to job-seekers who qualify of the 5.1 percent of unemployed Missouri residents. Unemployment benefits can help keep the state’s economy from declining until workers can replace their jobs and recover income.