When you need help with a Missouri unemployment claim — whether you're filing for the first time, checking on a payment, or dealing with a disputed determination — knowing how to reach the right office matters. Missouri administers its unemployment insurance program through the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, specifically through the Division of Employment Security (DES). Here's what you need to know about reaching them and what to expect when you do.
The Missouri Division of Employment Security (DES) handles all unemployment insurance claims in the state. This includes initial claim filings, weekly certifications, benefit payments, employer responses, and appeals.
Main Claimant Phone Number: 📞 1-800-320-2519
This is the primary number for individuals filing or managing unemployment claims. It connects you to the Missouri uInteract system support and general claimant services.
Hours of Operation: Missouri DES phone lines are generally available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Hours can shift during high-volume periods or state holidays, so checking the official DES website before calling is worth the extra step.
Online Portal: Missouri processes most claims through uInteract, the state's online unemployment insurance system. Many account functions — including filing an initial claim, submitting weekly certifications, reviewing payment history, and uploading documents — can be handled through the portal without calling at all.
Missouri DES maintains separate lines depending on why you're calling. Routing yourself correctly from the start can save significant time.
| Contact Purpose | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| General Claimant Services | 1-800-320-2519 |
| Employer Unemployment Tax | 573-751-1995 |
| Appeals (Tribunal) | 573-751-3215 |
| Fraud Reporting | 1-800-592-6004 |
| Jefferson City Main Office | 573-751-9040 |
These numbers are subject to change. Always verify current contact information on the des.mo.gov website before calling.
Missouri DES phone lines can experience high call volumes, particularly during periods of economic disruption. Before you call, having the following information on hand tends to speed things up considerably:
The more specific your question, the more useful the call tends to be.
Not every question requires a call. Missouri's uInteract portal handles a wide range of self-service functions. Here's a general breakdown of when each channel makes more sense:
Use uInteract online when:
Call DES when:
If Missouri DES issues a determination you disagree with — whether about eligibility, your weekly benefit amount, or a disqualification — you have the right to appeal. Appeals in Missouri go through the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission and the Appeals Tribunal.
The Appeals Tribunal handles first-level appeals. Contacting them at 573-751-3215 is appropriate if you've received a written determination and want to understand the process or confirm your appeal was received. Appeals must typically be filed within 30 days of the determination date, though the specific deadline will be printed on your notice.
A second level of review is available through the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission if the Appeals Tribunal's decision is also contested.
Employers responding to a separation claim or managing their unemployment tax account use a separate set of contacts. The Employer Unemployment Tax line at 573-751-1995 handles employer-side inquiries, account registration, tax payments, and protests to individual claims.
If you're an employer receiving a separation notice, Missouri DES typically gives a defined window — often around 10 days — to respond before a determination is issued. Timeliness matters; missing the response window can affect the outcome.
Missouri DES takes unemployment fraud seriously — both fraudulent claims filed in someone else's name and claimants misrepresenting their work or earnings status. 🔒
If you suspect someone has filed a claim using your identity, or if you want to report suspected fraud by a claimant or employer, Missouri DES maintains a dedicated fraud line: 1-800-592-6004. Reporting can also be done through the des.mo.gov website.
For in-person help with job search requirements, work search documentation, or referrals to employment services, Missouri operates a network of Job Centers through the Division of Workforce Development. These offices are separate from DES but are part of the same Department of Labor and Industrial Relations structure.
Job Center locations vary by region. Missouri's workforce development website maintains a locator tool for finding the closest office.
What's available at any given contact point — and how quickly a representative can help — depends on your claim's current status, whether a determination has been issued, and what stage of the process you're in. The contact information gets you to the right door; the outcome depends on what's behind it.