Missouri Unemployment Calculator (2026)
In 2026, Missouri pays unemployment benefits between $35 and $320 per week — one of the lower maximums in the country. Benefits last 8 to 20 weeks at most, so Missouri offers a shorter, smaller safety net than most states. Your weekly amount is 4% of your average high-quarter wages.
How Missouri calculates it
Missouri averages your two highest-earning quarters in the base period and pays 4% of that average each week. For example, if your two best quarters were $6,000 and $5,000, the average is $5,500 and your weekly benefit is $220. Two $8,000 quarters would max you out at the $320 cap.
The weekly check can't go below $35 or above $320. The $320 maximum is low compared with neighboring states, so higher earners will feel a bigger income gap.
Duration is capped at 20 weeks — and it can be as short as 8. Your total payout is the lesser of one-third of your base period wages or 20 times your weekly benefit. Budget for a short runway: even in the best case, Missouri pays 6 fewer weeks than the 26-week standard in many states.
Do you qualify in Missouri?
To qualify money-wise, your base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest-quarter wages and you need at least $1,500 in one quarter. Alternatively, you can qualify with wages in two quarters totaling at least 1.5 times the state's maximum taxable wage base.
The usual non-wage rules also apply: you're out of work through no fault of your own, and you're able to work, available for work, and actively job hunting each week you claim.
Maximum total benefit: Lesser of 1/3 BPW or 20 x WBA.