Minimize the harm – Maximize the money in your pocket

With unpaid furloughs coming up, there are some things of which everyone should be aware.  You can collect unemployment during a furlough week. Here’s how it works:

First, you must take your furloughs in full weekly increments; not a day at a time.  As unemployment is based on weekly wages before taxes, earning any other income in that week will reduce your benefit. As of June 23rd, 2010, the maximum unemployment compensation benefit in Missouri is $320 per week + $25 from Obama’s 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Because Missouri has a one-week waiting period, you will not be eligible for that first week.  However, You must still file to establish your claim during that week. Not filing will seriously impact your ability to collect unemployment later on.

The week after you file, you must certify your filing (affirm that you performed no work).  You may do this by either:

a) logging on to:    www.moclaim.mo.gov -or-

b) call the state’s direct line for unemployment claims at 314-340-3499, 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday. Its usually very busy on Mondays and Fridays, and closed on all state holidays. If you prefer to use the automated system, dial 314-340-4950, then hit “2” and then “4” to get to a claim representative.

Your unemployment claim will be in effect for one full year.  After your waiting week, you will be able to collect on any other unemployed weeks during that period.

NOTE*  If you do not make your weekly certification you may not be eligible. This