Unemployment Insurance Benefits Missouri UI Terms

What Are The Numbers To Call To Claim My Benefits By Phone?

Missouri Division of Employment Security
Regional Claims Centers (RCC)
*Automated information available from 1:00 p.m. Sunday through 5:00 p.m. Friday (CDT/CST).
*Claims Center representatives available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT/CST) Monday through Friday.

Address and Fax Number for All Regional Claims Centers:
PO Box 3915
Jefferson City, MO 65102-3915
Fax 573-751-9730

Jefferson City RCC
Local Calling Area 573-751-9040
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

Kansas City RCC
Local Calling Area 816-889-3101
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

Springfield RCC
Local Calling Area 417-895-6851
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

St. Louis RCC
Local Calling Area 314-340-4950
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

What Are The Hours And Availability of Services?

How Do I Get Through On The Phone?

There are times the Regional Claims Center telephone lines will be busy when you call. This can be due to heavy workload, holidays and possibly equipment failure. Please be patient when attempting to speak with a claims representative. If your call is not answered by the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system on your first try, please continue to call every few minutes until your call is answered. Once you are in line to speak with a representative, do not hang up and call back. That will only increase your wait time by putting you again at the back of the line to speak with a representative.

How Do I Start A Claim?

Workers should file for benefits as soon as they become unemployed. A delay in filing may result in loss of benefits.

Internet

www.moclaim.com.

The Internet claim filing system is available 24 hours a day, except between 11:30 PM on Saturday and 12:31 AM on Sunday, Central Time. You may also use the Internet claim filing system to file your weekly certifications (claims).

Telephone

The telephone filing system is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Regional Claims Centers answer calls in the order they are received and every effort is made to keep wait times to a minimum.

You must call from a touch-tone phone. A rotary phone will not work. If your phone has a PULSE/TONE switch, set the switch to TONE after your call is answered. Most public pay phones can be used to access our system.

The automated system will give you a menu of services.

What Is My Personal Identification Number (PIN)?

Your PIN is your electronic signature and it will help protect you from another person obtaining information about your claim or filing against your claim. If you forget your PIN, call your area Regional Claims Center to have it deleted.

What Happens When I Start A New Claim?

Whether filing by Internet or telephone, the effective date of your claim will be the Sunday of the week that you file. Do not delay filing your claim.

After you file your claim, you will be mailed a form called Notice of Initial Determination of Status as an Insured Worker. Even if the form shows that you are an insured worker, this does not mean that you will receive benefits.
This form will show:

• Your weekly and maximum benefit amounts;
• The beginning date of your claim;
• Your base period;
• The amount of wages reported by each employer;

If you believe wages are listed incorrectly or some of your wages are missing, contact your area Regional Claims Center by the date shown on the bottom of the form. Failure to respond by that date may cause you to lose the right to use these additional wages. You will be asked to provide proof of the correct wages, such as, check stubs, W-2 statements or other documents.

After your new claim is filed, you will need to begin filing weekly certifications (claims) and, if required, making a work search. You must file each week even if you have asked us to look into the wages used on your claim. Do not wait to begin filing weekly certifications. Weekly certifications must be filed within 14 days from the Saturday of the week you are claiming. Waiting more than 14 days to file will result in denial of benefits. The 14 day period may, for good cause, be extended to 28 days. Additional information can be viewed at What Happens After I File?

How Are My Benefits Figured?

When you first apply for benefits, you are filing a new claim. A review of your work history will be used to determine if you had enough insured work to establish a claim benefit year. Insured work is work done for one or more employers that are required to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Your claim benefit year is the one-year period that unemployment benefits are potentially available to you.

The benefit amount you can receive is figured on wages paid during your base period. Your base period is the 12-month period consisting of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the beginning date of your claim.

NOTE: Wages are assigned to a quarter as they are paid; not when they are earned.

You must have wages of at least $1,400 in one quarter of your base period. This amount increases to $1,500 for claims filed January 1, 2008 or later. You must have wages in two quarters of the base period and the total amount of your wages must be at least one and one-half times your highest quarter wages. If you do not meet this requirement, you may still qualify if you have wages in at least two quarters of your base period and the total of the wages is at least $16,500. This amount increases to $18,000 for claims filed January 1, 2008 or later.

If you qualify, your weekly benefit amount (WBA) will be 4% of your highest quarterly wages, but cannot be more than $280. For claims filed January 1, 2008 or later, your WBA will be 4% of the average of your two highest quarters, but cannot be more than $320.

The most you can receive during your benefit year is your maximum benefit amount (MBA). This amount is 26 times your WBA or one-third of your base period wages, whichever is less. When figuring the MBA using either method, the base period wages for each quarter are limited to 26 times your WBA. If you have sufficient wages in the base period, the maximum number of weeks you can draw your full weekly amount is 26 weeks and the MBA available in a benefit year is $8,320 (26 x $320 = $8,320), for claims filed January 1, 2008 or later.

If you are filing a claim now and filed one a year ago, you cannot be paid on the new claim unless you have worked after filing last year. Your Regional Claims Center representative will explain this requirement when you file.

What Do I Do After Starting a Claim?

A claim for benefits is made on a calendar week basis. A calendar week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. You must wait until the week is over before you make the weekly certification for benefits. On the Sunday after you file your initial or renewed claim, you should file your first weekly certification.

By Internet

The Internet claim filing system is available 24 hours a day, except between 11:30 PM on Saturday and 12:31 AM on Sunday, Central Time. To file your weekly claim using the Internet, go to www.moclaim.com.

After completing your weekly certification using the Internet, you will receive a confirmation page indicating that your claim has been accepted. If you close or disconnect the Internet weekly claim site before receiving the confirmation page, you will have to return to www.moclaim.com and start again.

By Telephone

To make your weekly certification by telephone, call the number for your area Regional Claims Center. Your call will be answered by the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. You will be given a menu of services available. If you choose the option of filing a claim, a prerecorded voice will ask you questions, one at a time. Answer "Yes" by pressing the number "1" or "No" by pressing the number "9" on the telephone keypad.

If you answer a question wrong, you will be given an opportunity to correct your answer. If you get disconnected or hang up before you hear that your claim has been accepted, you will have to telephone again and start over to file your weekly certification.

Whether using the Internet or telephone to file your weekly certification, you can only file for the week that ended the Saturday before your call and the two prior calendar weeks. If you have any problems or doubts about how to answer the weekly questions or how to use the system, call your area Regional Claims Center.

Every effort has been made to ensure fast, convenient and reliable service for unemployed workers. Payment information is normally available 24 hours after you file your weekly certification by using the Division's Internet or telephone Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. You can be assured your claim was received if the telephone system told you it was accepted or you received a confirmation page on the Internet.

How Do I Prepare to Make My Weekly Certification (Claim)?

Do not wait to begin filing weekly certifications. Weekly certifications must be filed within 14 days from the Saturday of the week you are claiming. Waiting more than 14 days to file will result in denial of benefits. The 14 day period may, for good cause, be extended to 28 days.

Making your weekly certification is easy if you take time to prepare. Follow these steps:

1. Have your social security number and your PIN (personal identification number) available.
2. If you worked and earned wages during the week you are claiming (including self-employment wages), or you received or will receive vacation, holiday, or W.A.R.N. pay for the week, be sure you know the gross amounts (total dollars and cents before any deductions) of the pay before you file. You will not be allowed to file for the week without reporting the gross amount if you worked during the week. Be aware that wages you report are verified with employers to ensure proper payments.
3. If self-employed during the week you are filing for, be sure you know how many hours you worked. You must report the hours you worked in self-employment even if you had no earnings for the week.

Internet

The Internet weekly filing system will ask the same questions as the telephone system. (See sample below.) However, you will respond by clicking on the correct answers or typing information in the appropriate spaces. You will receive a confirmation page to indicate your weekly certification has been filed after you complete the questions and click "Submit". Your Internet weekly filing is not complete until you receive the confirmation page.

Telephone

You may be asked questions in addition to those listed in the samples below. Stay on the line until you hear the message: "Your weekly claim has been filed". If you hang up before this message, your answers will not be recorded and you will have to call again.

• Do we have your current address?
• Before entering your claim through this system, you must understand that you can be penalized for giving false answers or withholding information. If you understand this, press 1. If not, press 9.
• Did you work during your claim week?

You must report all wages earned during the week you are filing for even though you may not be paid until later. In addition to wages, you must report tips, commissions, bonuses, show-up time, and military reserve drill pay. Board, lodging and any other payments not in cash or by check also must be reported. If your income for the week is from National Guard drill, contact a Regional Claims Center on how to report this income.

• Were you physically able to work and available for work each day of the week?

  Being able and available to work means you had no illness, injury or personal circumstances that would keep you from starting a job or working during the week claimed.

What Is A Waiting Week?

Before any benefits can be paid, you must serve a waiting week. To serve the waiting week you must have a claim in existence (benefit year), have filed a weekly certification and be entitled to benefits. One waiting week must be served in each benefit year. The waiting week becomes payable when your claim balance is equal to or less than the benefit amount you would be eligible for during the week.

When Will I Receive Benefits?

If you are eligible, under normal circumstances your first benefit payment will process approximately 18-22 days after you start your new claim. It will take longer when an investigation to determine eligibility is required. This is true whether filing by Internet or telephone.

If you are unemployed for any reason other than lack of work, the reason you lost your job may affect the payment of benefits.

Your employers are notified that you have filed a claim. These employers may protest if they have information they believe should keep you from receiving benefits.

Any situation that may keep you from receiving benefits is called an "ISSUE". If we receive information that may cause you to not be paid, you will be sent a questionnaire or a notice for a telephone interview to give information about the issue. If you fail to complete and return the questionnaire or participate in the telephone interview, a determination will be made based upon the information available.

After all issues are resolved, and if you are eligible for benefits, payments are usually made the next working day after your weekly certification is received. Benefits will not arrive on the same day each week. Benefits may be delayed for various reasons, such as a holiday occurring during the week, 4-week reporting, or if further investigation is needed. Use the Division's Internet site at www.moclaim.com, View My Claim, or automated IVR system to track payments and claim balance. There is never a fee for using the Division's Internet or IVR system. When payment is sent to a Missouri Access debit card, it is normally available and will appear on the debit card for use by 5:30 pm on the same day it is sent to the debit card. For example, when the Division's information shows payment was sent on Tuesday, this payment will normally appear on the debit card and be available for use at 5:30 pm on Tuesday. Payments sent on Saturday are normally available by 5:30 pm on Monday.

For information on your Missouri Access card balance, deposits and other activity, go to www.mo-access.com (no fee) or call 888-775-3445 (one free call per week then 25 cents per call).

Can Benefits Be Denied?

You may be an insured worker and still be ineligible or disqualified for benefits.

Some examples of when you may be held ineligible from receiving benefits are if you are not able to work full-time due to an injury or illness; you are not available for full-time work because of your school attendance, lack of transportation or child care for the hours of work you are seeking; or you are not making an active and earnest search for work. The ineligibility will continue until the conditions holding you ineligible no longer exist.

Some instances where you may be disqualified are being discharged for misconduct connected with work, quitting your job for reasons not attributable to the work or employer, or refusing to apply for or accept a suitable offer of work. If you are disqualified as a result of a discharge, the disqualification can be terminated if you earn six times your weekly benefit amount in insured work after the date of discharge. For separations occurring October 1, 2006 or later, if you are disqualified on a subsequent discharge, you will be required to earn six times your weekly benefit amount in insured work after the date of each disqualifying discharge. All other disqualifications can be terminated if you earn ten times your weekly benefit amount in insured work after the date of the disqualifying separation or act.

If you are denied benefits you will receive a "Notice of Deputy's Determination". This determination will tell you why benefits are being denied. It also includes information on how your benefits may become payable. Your appeal rights and time limits are explained on each determination. Please read it carefully.

What Are My Appeal Rights?

If you disagree with a determination, you or your duly authorized agent may file an appeal. You may appeal if you believe the law was incorrectly applied or all the facts were not considered when the determination was made. If you do not understand a determination or notice you receive about your claim, call your Regional Claims Center ask a claims representative for an explanation.

Your appeal rights and time limits are explained on each determination. If you do not file within the time limit, you may lose your right to appeal. The time limits for filing can only be extended for "good cause." Generally, only circumstances beyond your reasonable control will be considered good cause for late filing. You can file the appeal by mail or fax to the address listed on the determination.

While waiting for the appeals hearing and decision, you should continue to file as usual for each week you are unemployed. Even if the results of the appeal are in your favor, you will not be paid for any weeks for which you did not file a timely weekly certification (claim).

In some cases, your employer may file an appeal to a determination that finds you eligible to receive benefits. An employer's appeal will not cause your benefits to stop, unless the employer wins the appeal. If the employer wins the appeal, benefits may be stopped at that time and you may be overpaid for the benefits you have received. It is important that you participate in the hearing on the employer's appeal to present your side of the case. Without your testimony, the employer may win the appeal and you would have to pay back any benefits received. Find more information at the Appeals website.

Do I Need To Make A Work Search?

When you filed your initial or renewed claim, you were given the minimum number of employers to contact for work each week. Make at least that many contacts. Keep a written record of the employers you contact each week for work for auditing purposes. Your work search is subject to verification. A Work Search Record form is available for your use and you may print a copy of this form by going to our Internet site at: http://www.dolir.mo.gov/es/ui-benefits/4541-AI.pdf

You will also be mailed a Work Search Record for use in recording your job contacts. Do not wait to receive this form to start making and recording job contacts. Do not mail your work search to the Division of Employment Security or take it when reporting to a Career Center unless requested to do so. If an eligibility review or audit is conducted, you will be contacted and asked to furnish your work search.

Failure to apply or accept suitable employment offered through the Division, designated staff of a state or state-controlled public employment office, or former employer may result in denial of benefits.

How Can I Get A Work Search Waiver?

To waive this requirement, you must be temporarily laid off and have a recall date within eight weeks of the date you became unemployed. A waiver may also be given to claimants in school or a training program that is approved in advance by the Division of Employment Security. Contact your Regional Claims Center to inquire about a waiver.

Do I Have To Report In Person?

You may be required to report every four weeks to the "resource area" of a Missouri Division of Workforce Development (DWD) Career Center or other designated office. You may report in person any regular workday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Staff in the Missouri Career Centers do not have claim information and cannot answer specific claims questions.

If you have not reported prior to the end of the third week from a previous reporting, you will be mailed a reminder notice. Failure to report at least every four weeks may result in benefits being denied. If you cannot report as instructed, go in as soon after your scheduled week as you can.

You may also be selected to receive special re-employment services under several programs offered through the Career Centers. Failure to participate in these programs when selected may result in denial or delay of payment of unemployment benefits.

How Do I Renew My Claim?

Renew your claim as soon as you become unemployed.

Your claim will become inactive if you do not file a weekly certification (claim) within 28 calendar days (four weeks) from the Saturday of the last week you filed. Your claim must be renewed or reopened if it becomes inactive. This must be done before weekly certifications can be filed. Whether filing by Internet or telephone, your renewed claim will be started the Sunday of the week you file the renewal.

By Internet

To renew your claim using the Internet, go to www.moclaim.com. You will receive a confirmation page after entering requested information. The confirmation page contains basic instructions about your claim. Print and keep this page.

By Telephone

The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system will answer your call and, in certain instances, renew your claim from information you entered using the keypad. If a claims representative will need to complete the process, you will be connected after entering basic information. In addition to other information, you will need the name and address of your last employer and the last day you actually worked.

If you have not filed a weekly certification for three weeks (21 calendar days) and you plan to file the fourth week, you should call the Regional Claims Center before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday of the fourth week for filing instructions.

How Do I Change My Address?

If you move during the time you are claiming benefits, telephone your area Regional Claims Center and select address change from the menu of choices.

How Can I Get Information About My Claim?

You can obtain information on your claim using the Internet by going to the Division's site, "View My Claim/View Claim History," or by using the automated telephone (IVR) system. The Internet website is available 24 hours a day and the automated telephone system is available from 1:00 PM Sunday through 5:00 PM Friday. You can find out if benefits have been paid on your claim and in some cases why benefits were not paid. The IVR system can give you information on the most recent week filed and the prior two weeks. The IVR system can also tell you the status of a pending appeal. The Internet website will allow you to obtain information on your current claim as well as past benefit year claims. The wait time for automated information is very short. Waiting for a claims representative to answer your questions may involve being on hold for an extended period of time.

If your question is about benefits, be sure to allow 10 working days from the date you filed before contacting us.

Staff in the Missouri Career Centers do not have claim information and cannot answer specific claim questions.

For information on your Missouri Access card balance, deposits and other activity, go to www.mo-access.com (no fee) or call 888-775-3445 (one free call per week then 25 cents each call).

Can I Work Part Time And Receive Benefits?

You may be eligible to receive some benefits for a week if you work less than full time. You must continue to look for and be able to work full time. You must report your gross wages (wages before deductions) and not just take home pay.

The benefits you will be paid when working less than full time will be the difference between your weekly benefit amount and that part of your wages for the week that are in excess of $20 or 20% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater. Benefits that are payable to you are rounded down to the next lower whole dollar. Any withholdings for federal taxes, etc. are taken out of the payable amount.

Example:

What Do I Do If I Go Back To Work?

If you go back to work full-time you should stop filing weekly certifications (claims). If you are working less than full-time, refer to the Can I Work Part Time and Receive Benefits section to calculate the weekly benefits you may be eligible to receive. If you are earning enough wages that you are not getting any weekly benefits, you should stop filing.

What Happens If I Am Overpaid?

The Division of Employment Security discovers improper payments in a number of ways, including notification from employers when new employees are hired and random audits. If we find you were paid benefits for any week you were employed and did not report wages or reported wages incorrectly, we must investigate. You will be asked to provide information so we can determine what action needs to be taken. We want to make certain that only eligible claimants receive benefits and that each claimant is paid the proper amount.

If you receive benefits to which you are not entitled, you must repay the benefits, even if someone else made the mistake that caused the incorrect payment. When an overpayment is found, we issue a notice telling you why you are overpaid, and the amount. If you believe the notice is incorrect, you have the right to appeal.

You can repay an overpayment in a lump sum, or you can request a payment plan. If you are claiming benefits, they will be applied to the overpayment.

It is to your advantage to repay overpayments as soon as possible. Otherwise, we must recover the amount due from your benefits the next time you file a claim or intercept your state income tax return. This means you will be without benefits when you need them.

If you deliberately make a false statement or withhold information to receive benefits, your benefit rights can be canceled, and you can be arrested, fined and imprisoned.

An additional penalty of 25% or 100% of the overpaid amount can be added to the amount to be repaid.

What If I Try a New Job, But It Just Doesn't Work Out?

Normally, if you quit a job for a reason that is not good cause related to the work or employer you will be disqualified from receiving benefits. There is an exception to this. If you take a job that would be considered "unsuitable work" as defined in the Missouri Employment Security Law, and quit within 28 days of the first day of work, you may not be disqualified. This exception allows you to try a job that you might otherwise have turned down without losing your right to benefits.

Will Other Income Reduce My Benefits?

Vacation, holiday and W.A.R.N. pay reduce your weekly benefit amount in the same way as wages.

Severance or termination pay or Social Security payments do not reduce your weekly benefit amount.

Pensions may reduce your benefits. Tell your claims representative if you are receiving a pension. If your pension reduces your weekly benefit amount, you will be notified.

Examples of pensions which may reduce your benefits:

• Military retirement (including disability)
• Union pension
• Private employer pension
• Federal civilian pension
• State, county or city pension

Can I Use Wages I Earned In Another State, The Military Or The Federal Government?

When you file a claim, report all employers, including those in any other state in the last 18 months, or military and federal employers. Provide complete addresses and dates of employment.

We have to request wage information from another state or the federal government to be used on your claim. Information from your DD-214 is used to assign wages for your military claim. Your claim will be delayed until we receive this information. When you receive your Notice of Insured Worker Status, contact your area Regional Claims Center if these employers are not listed.

NOTE: If you have wages earned in another state, worked for a federal employer or had active military service in the last 18 months, you will not be able to use the Internet Claim Filing system. File your claim with a Regional Claims Center.

What Are Extended Benefits?

When either the national or Missouri unemployment rate exceeds a certain level, you may be entitled to additional weeks of benefits after you use all regular benefits. If an extended benefit period is declared and it appears that you qualify, we will send you a notice.

What Is Trade Adjustment Assistance?

If you lost your job due to foreign imports, you may be eligible for assistance under the Trade Act. Trade Adjustment Assistance includes training, training allowances, job search and relocation assistance and other support services. Additional information is available on the U.S. Department of Labor website at: http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/

If you think you may qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance, contact your area Regional Claims Center or a Missouri Career Center for information.

Are My Benefits Taxable?

Unemployment Insurance benefits are subject to federal and state income taxes.

The Internal Revenue Service can furnish information on reporting and computing the tax.

If you had taxes withheld from your claim and did not receive a 1099 form, a duplicate 1099 form for the prior calendar year can be printed after February 1 by going to www.moclaim.com

How Do I Get Help Finding a New Job?

A Missouri Career Center can assist you in finding work. When you filed a new claim for benefits, a work registration was created. You may complete or update your work registration either in person at a local office that includes a Missouri Career Center or through the web site at http://www.MissouriCareerSource.com/

When adding to or changing your work registration information, you will need to use your Social Security Number.

What Important Things Should I Remember?

• Please inform us promptly of any change in your mailing address.

• Written inquiries regarding your claim should always include at least the last four digits of your social security number.

• To establish a new claim, renew an existing claim, or submit a weekly certification (claim), you may file over the Internet at www.moclaim.com or you may call the telephone number given for your Regional Claims Center.

• Weekly certifications must be filed within 14 days from the Saturday of the week you are claiming.

• Obtain information concerning a prior week, past benefit year claims or payment of benefits using the Division's site at View My Claim/View Claim History This information can also be printed out for personal use as proof of payment or denial of benefits.

• You can also use the Regional Claims Center telephone number to obtain information concerning a prior week, a pending appeal, your benefit year beginning date, to change your address or if you forget your PIN (Personal Identification Number).

• For information on your Missouri Access card balance, deposits and other activity, go to www.mo-access.com (no fee) or call 888-775-3445 (one free call per week then 25 cents each call).

What Are My Rights?

Privacy Act of 1974

The Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended, and the Deficit Reduction Act require that you be provided this statement because you are being asked to furnish your Social Security Number. Your Social Security Number is used under the authority of Chapter 288, RSMo, and 8 CSR 10-4.010 of Missouri Division of Employment Security, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [26 USC 85, 6011(a), 6050B, and 6109(a)].

Your Social Security Number will be used to report your unemployment insurance to the Internal Revenue Service as income that is potentially taxable. It also will be used as a record for processing your claim, for statistical purposes and to compare records with other state and federal agencies. We cannot file or process your claim for unemployment insurance if you do not provide your Social Security Number.

Information submitted to the Division of Employment Security by you or your current or former employer may be requested and utilized for other governmental purposes, including but not limited to, verification of eligibility under other government programs.

Missouri Employment Security Law

(Section 288.375 RSMo)
Provides the following:

1. No employer or employing unit shall discharge, discipline or penalize any employee because the employee has testified on behalf of another employee in any proceeding under this chapter.
2. Any employer or employing unit who violates the provisions of this section shall be liable in a civil action for back pay lost by an employee as a result of the violation, and an employee discharged or demoted in violation of this section shall be entitled to be reinstated to his or her former or comparable position. The burden of proof shall be on the party claiming a violation to prove a claim under this section.
3. The statute of limitations for actions under this section shall be six months from the date testimony was provided by the employee on behalf of another employee.