Montana Unemployment

Montana Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The Unemployment Insurance Division of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry administers unemployment insurance benefits for the state of Montana. 

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Unemployment compensation in the state of Montana provides a financial safety net that lessens the negative impact of lost employment on Montana’s jobless residents, their families, and the local economy.

Funding for the state of Montana’s jobless benefits program comes entirely from employer taxes, so no money ever is deducted from employee paychecks to fund this program to help unemployed workers.

Montana Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in Montana?

An unemployed person must typically meet the following eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in the state of Montana:

• The claimant must have earned a minimum amount in wages before becoming unemployed
• The claimant must be unemployed through no fault of his or her own, as defined by Montana state law
• The claimant must be able and available to work
• The claimant must actively be seeking employment.

Please note that individual determinations regarding eligibility cannot be made until an initial claim is filed, so you should submit an initial unemployment claim for unemployment compensation as soon as you become employed.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Montana?

You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online or by phone. While claimants are strongly encouraged to submit their new unemployment claims online, if you do not have access to the Internet, you may call Claims Processing at 406-444-2545 to discuss alternatives for submitting your unemployment claim.

After you submit your initial claim, you will receive a monetary determination from the Department of Labor and Industry, outlining whether you’re approved, along with how much you can expect to receive in weekly unemployment payments.

How To Manage Your Montana Unemployment Benefits

Once your claim is submitted, you will need to request payment each week to continue receiving benefits. Requests can be made beginning Sunday through Saturday and typically to the prior week.

When completing your payment request, be prepared to answer questions about your work-related activities for the prior week. What were your work search activities? Did you work any hours or make any income? Did you refuse any offers for work?

You can use the same online account you created when submitting your initial claim to submit your weekly benefits. You’ll find simple, step-by-step instructions for doing so.

In Montana, UI benefits recipients are required to actively search for work each week that they receive benefits. You must also keep a log of job contacts and other job search activities, and make at least one job contact per week. Your work search log may be audited at any time without notice. You also will be required to register for work with the Montana Job Service.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you are unhappy with the decision regarding your initial unemployment claim, you have 10 days from the date on which your determination was mailed to file a request for appeal. All the specific instructions you need to submit your request for appeal will be outlined within your determination letter, so make sure to read it carefully.

For example, you can appeal online – select Unemployment Insurance Appeal Form – or by following the instructions for mailing or faxing your appeal on the Request for Appeal page that accompanies your redetermination notice.

How Do I Report Fraud?

Unemployment benefits fraud is a crime that weakens the integrity of the entire UI benefits system in the state of Montana. It increases UI taxes for businesses and causes frustration for law-abiding employers and workers – plus potentially keeping necessary financial support away from those who need it most. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry takes unemployment fraud seriously, and all reports of suspected fraud are thoroughly investigated.

If you suspect someone of fraudulently collecting UI benefits, you can make a report via any of the following methods:

• Online: Montana Fraud Reporting Form
• Phone: 406-444.0072 or 888-556.4677
• Email: dliuidci@mt.gov
• Fax: 406-444.6651

All fraud reports may be made anonymously.

Montana Unemployment Office Locations