Max weekly
$320
Min $45
2026Rank #45Missouri Unemployment Benefits
$320/week · up to 20 weeks · $6,400 max total · Taxed by state.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Missouri unemployment benefits snapshot
Moderate weekly maximum with a 20-week duration cap. Maximum total at the weekly cap for the full modeled duration is $6,400. Rank #45 for maximum weekly benefit (#1 is highest) and #47 for maximum total benefits.
Max weeks
20
Rank #43
Max total
$6,400
Rank #47
State tax on UI
Taxed by state
Federal tax still applies
Compare Missouri with another state
Compare any two states
Max weekly benefit, duration, total benefits, and state tax treatment.
Missouri benefit examples by prior salary
Illustrative estimates assume high-quarter wages ≈ annual salary ÷ 4, then apply the high-quarter ÷ 26 approximation clamped to Missouri's min/max.
| Prior salary | Est. weekly | Est. total | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 · at max | $320 | $6,400 | 20 |
| $75,000 · at max | $320 | $6,400 | 20 |
| $100,000 · at max | $320 | $6,400 | 20 |
$50,000 · at max
Weekly$320
Total$6,400
Weeks20
$75,000 · at max
Weekly$320
Total$6,400
Weeks20
$100,000 · at max
Weekly$320
Total$6,400
Weeks20
Worked Missouri unemployment example
A worker with about $100,000 of prior annual wages (~$25,000 in the highest quarter) would typically hit or approach Missouri's weekly benefit formula like this.
Calculation flow
- 1.High-quarter wages: $25,000 (illustrative for a $100k salary).
- 2.Raw weekly estimate: $25,000 ÷ 26 ≈ $961 before state min/max clamps.
- 3.Missouri clamp: between $45 and $320.
- 4.Duration: up to 20 weeks when eligible for the full regular award.
Modeled result
- Est. weekly benefit
- $320
- Max weeks
- 20
- Est. total benefits
- $6,400
- Wage replacement vs ~$1,923/wk
- 17%
Educational estimate only. Exact formulas, dependency allowances, and eligibility can change the official weekly amount.
Calculation guide
How Missouri weekly unemployment benefits are estimated
Missouri duration is capped at 20 weeks in the current model. The estimator on this site uses a common high-quarter approximation so you can compare states consistently; your agency's official formula may differ.
Base-period wages
Missouri looks at recent covered wages—usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters—to decide monetary eligibility.
Weekly formula
A common approximation is high-quarter wages ÷ 26, then clamped between $45 and $320.
Duration
Regular benefits are modeled for up to 20 weeks when you remain eligible and continue to certify.
Dependents
Some states raise the weekly amount with dependency allowances. Where published, the max WBA shown can include dependents.
Partial benefits
Limited part-time earnings may reduce—but not always eliminate—the weekly check. Report all work accurately.
Official determination
Only the Missouri unemployment agency can issue your official weekly benefit amount after a claim is filed.
Are unemployment benefits taxable in Missouri?
MO generally taxes unemployment benefits as ordinary state income. Federal income tax also applies.
Federally, UI is ordinary taxable income reported on Form 1099-G. You can often elect 10% federal withholding with Form W-4V. If Missouri taxes UI, ask the agency about state withholding separately—W-4V covers federal tax only.
Who qualifies for unemployment in Missouri?
Typically requires sufficient base-period wages, unemployment through no fault of your own, and that you are able, available, and actively seeking work. Exact monetary and non-monetary rules are set by the state agency. Duration is capped at 20 weeks.
- Enough wages in the state's base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters)
- Job separation that qualifies under state law (typically layoff or other no-fault separation)
- Able and available to work
- Actively seeking work and meeting weekly certification requirements
- Not disqualified for reasons such as misconduct or refusing suitable work without good cause
Before you file unemployment in Missouri
File promptly
Submit a Missouri claim as soon as you lose covered work. Delays can postpone the first payable week.
Gather employer details
Have recent employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and the reason for separation ready.
Estimate high-quarter wages
Pay stubs and W-2s help you judge whether you may reach the state maximum.
Choose withholding
Consider Form W-4V for 10% federal withholding and any state withholding option.
Plan certifications
Missouri generally requires ongoing certifications that you are able, available, and seeking work.
Keep records
Save claim confirmations, weekly certifications, and your Form 1099-G for tax season.
How to read the Missouri figures
Max weekly
Published ceiling; your award depends on base-period wages.
Max weeks
Regular UI duration in the comparison model.
Max total
Weekly max × weeks — an upper-bound benchmark.
Not modeled
Every dependency rule, disqualification, partial-earnings offset, or extension.
Estimate your Missouri benefit
Use high-quarter wages for a personalized weekly and total estimate.
Related states by max total benefits
South Carolina$326/wk · 20 wks · $6,520 max
Compare Missouri vs South Carolina →
Mississippi$235/wk · 26 wks · $6,110 max
Compare Missouri vs Mississippi →
Alabama$275/wk · 26 wks · $7,150 max
Compare Missouri vs Alabama →
Louisiana$275/wk · 26 wks · $7,150 max
Compare Missouri vs Louisiana →Missouri unemployment FAQs
Missouri's published maximum weekly benefit is $320 (minimum $45). Rank #45 by maximum weekly benefit, where #1 is highest.
Missouri models up to 20 weeks of regular UI (rank #43 by duration). Missouri duration is capped at 20 weeks in the current model.
At the weekly maximum for the full modeled duration, Missouri totals $6,400 (rank #47). Most claimants receive less.
Federal income tax applies. MO generally taxes unemployment benefits as ordinary state income. Federal income tax also applies.
Like most states, Missouri starts from base-period wages. A common approximation is high-quarter wages ÷ 26, then clamped between $45 and $320. Exact formulas can differ.
Using a $25,000 high-quarter approximation for a $100k annual salary, the estimate is about $320/week and $6,400 over 20 weeks (at the state maximum).
Typically requires sufficient base-period wages, unemployment through no fault of your own, and that you are able, available, and actively seeking work. Exact monetary and non-monetary rules are set by the state agency. Duration is capped at 20 weeks.
Missouri ranks #45 on max weekly benefit and #47 on max total benefits. Use the pair selector to compare with another state.
UI maxima are only one factor. Job market, wages, housing costs, taxes, and eligibility rules usually matter more than the published weekly cap.
Use the unemployment benefits calculator pre-filtered for Missouri, or review the salary examples on this profile.
File with the Missouri unemployment agency as soon as you lose covered work. Delays can postpone the first payable week even when you later qualify.
Like most states, Missouri generally looks at wages in a recent base period—often the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters—to decide monetary eligibility and the weekly amount.
Many states allow partial benefits when you earn limited wages while still unemployed. Report all work and earnings each week; failing to report can create overpayments.
Yes in most cases. Unemployment compensation is reported on Form 1099-G for federal taxes. Keep the form and match it to your return even when Missouri does not tax UI at the state level.
Rankings use published maxima. Actual awards depend on wages, eligibility, and agency determinations.