If you're trying to reach Missouri's unemployment agency by phone, you're looking for the Missouri Division of Employment Security (DES) — the state agency that handles unemployment insurance claims, eligibility determinations, weekly certifications, and appeals.
The primary telephone number for unemployment claimants in Missouri is:
📞 1-800-320-2519
This is the main line for individuals filing new claims, asking questions about existing claims, or resolving issues that can't be handled online. The Missouri DES also operates a TDD/TTY line at 1-800-735-2966 for callers with hearing or speech impairments.
Hours of operation and line availability can shift during periods of high call volume or agency updates — checking the official Missouri DES website before calling is the most reliable way to confirm current hours.
Not every unemployment task requires a phone call. Missouri's DES offers an online portal called UInteract, which handles most routine functions:
The phone line tends to be more useful when your claim has a hold, you've received a determination you don't understand, there's a discrepancy in your wage records, or you need to speak with an adjudicator about a pending issue. Identity verification problems also frequently require phone contact.
Missouri's unemployment phone lines — like those in most states — can experience significant wait times, particularly during periods of economic disruption or mass layoffs. This is a feature of state unemployment systems broadly, not specific to Missouri.
Several factors affect call volume:
If you can resolve your issue through UInteract, that's typically faster than waiting on hold.
When you call the Missouri DES, having certain information ready will move the conversation forward:
| Information | Why It's Needed |
|---|---|
| Social Security Number | Identifies your claim in the system |
| Claim or confirmation number | Connects your call to a specific filing |
| Employer name(s) and dates | Relevant if discussing wages or separation |
| Determination notice number | Needed for appeals or disputed decisions |
| PIN for your account | Required for automated system navigation |
If you're calling about a specific determination or denial, having the written notice in front of you — including dates, reason codes, and the appeal deadline — is important.
Some claims move through the system without issue. Others get flagged for adjudication — a review process where the agency gathers more information before making an eligibility determination. Common reasons a claim enters adjudication include:
In adjudication, the agency may reach out to you by phone or mail — but you can also call proactively to check on status.
If Missouri DES denies your claim or reduces your benefits, you have the right to appeal. The first level of appeal in Missouri involves a hearing before an appeals tribunal — typically conducted by phone. You'll receive a notice with a scheduled date and dial-in instructions.
Missing the appeal deadline is one of the most common and consequential mistakes claimants make. Missouri has a specific window after a determination is issued — the notice itself will state the deadline. If you miss it, reinstating your appeal rights becomes significantly harder.
If you have questions about a pending appeal or need to reschedule a hearing, the phone number above is the appropriate contact point, though you may also have specific instructions on your hearing notice.
How the phone call goes — and what it leads to — depends on factors that vary from one claimant to the next:
The phone number connects you to the agency — but what happens next depends on where your claim stands and the specifics of your employment history and separation.