Montana Unemployment Insurance

Montana’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Montana, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:

1. wages in at least two quarters in the first four calendar quarters out of the last five (base period),
2. total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times the wages earned in your highest-paid quarter.

If not eligible under the standard base period, an alternate base period (the most recent four completed quarters) will be used, according to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.¹

How much unemployment benefits can I get in Montana?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $767 per week for a maximum of 24 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How many weeks of unemployment benefits does Montana offer?

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Montana provides up to 24 weeks of benefits,² which is shorter than the 26 weeks available in many other states. Payments end once the maximum has been paid or the benefit year expires.

Where can I claim unemployment benefits in Montana?

Claims for benefits may be filed online at uiclaimant.mt.gov  for each week you want to get paid or call (406) 444-2545 if you prefer to file by phone.

Unless exempt, you are required to register for work online at Montana Works  and provide proof of work search each week that you are collecting benefits.

Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Unemployment Insurance Division
(406) 444-2545