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Missouri Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

Under RSMo § 288.038, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations limits regular unemployment benefits to a maximum of $320 per week—a ceiling that has been frozen since 2008—and to a maximum duration of 20 weeks, after the Legislature reduced the benefit period from 26 weeks in 2015.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations — RSMo § 288.038; Missouri DOLIR.

How Missouri calculates it

  • Identify the wages you earned in your highest‑earning quarter and in your second‑highest quarter.
  • Add those two quarterly wages together and divide the sum by 2 to get the average quarterly wage.
  • Multiply the average quarterly wage by 4% to obtain the tentative weekly benefit amount.
  • If the tentative amount is below $35, raise it to $35; if it exceeds $320, lower it to $320.
  • The resulting weekly benefit can be paid for up to 20 weeks.

Worked example

Quarters of $9,000 and $8,000: ($9,000 + $8,000) ÷ 2 × 4% = $340, adjusted to the $320 bound — a weekly benefit of $320 for up to 20 weeks ($6,400 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

How much can I receive per week in Missouri unemployment benefits?

The weekly benefit equals 4% of the average of your two highest quarters, but it cannot be less than $35 or more than $320; the $320 cap has been frozen since 2008.

How many weeks of unemployment can I collect in Missouri?

Missouri provides regular unemployment benefits for up to 20 weeks; the Legislature cut the maximum duration from 26 weeks in 2015.

What wages do I need to report to calculate my Missouri unemployment benefit?

You must enter the wages from your highest‑earning quarter and from your second‑highest quarter; those two figures are used in the formula.

Is the $320 weekly maximum subject to annual adjustments in Missouri?

No. The $320 maximum has been frozen since 2008 and does not increase with inflation or cost‑of‑living adjustments.

What happens if my calculated benefit is below the state minimum?

If the formula produces a weekly amount below $35, the benefit is increased to the state minimum of $35 per week.

Is the calculation different in Kansas City, St. Louis or Springfield?

No. Benefits are set by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Missouri. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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