Unemployment Insurance Division

Paul Martin — Administrator

Unemployment Claimant

Unemployment Insurance Division

Mission Statement

It is our mission to administer programs that provide short-term economic relief to eligible workers from a fund financed by employers. This program not only lightens the burden of unemployment upon the worker and the worker's family, but also helps local communities maintain a stable workforce and economy. We provide this program with a commitment to truly serve the needs of employers and claimants; to continually improve service; and to seek excellence in all we do.

Featured News

Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson talks exploding construction sector, climate jobs and more
May 01, 2024
Swanson’s appointment to the head of the 800-person agency comes at a significant moment in Montana: the state’s huge post-pandemic job creation rush has slowed, although certain sectors like . . .
Governor Gianforte, DLI Launch Tool to Assist Displaced Lumber Industry Workers
April 26, 2024
HELENA, Mont. – Today, Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a new tool to assist workers affected by the recent lumber mill . . .
MT Dept. of Labor projects 6,000 healthcare job openings per year
March 14, 2024
MTDLI projects 638 openings for RNs per year, for which the median wage is $76,550. Over half are projected to be due to retirement. Another eight percent are expected to be due to increased demand caused by the . . .
Montana labor force hits all-time high in January
March 14, 2024
Montana's unemployment was lower than the national average of 3.7% with 3.3% in January. In January total employment added 400 workers and payroll jobs increased by 300. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry . . .
State Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November
December 22, 2023
More than 41,000 jobs created since January 2021 HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), today announced the . . .
Montana Reaches 24th Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
November 20, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana reached its 24th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%. Prior to the governor taking office, Montana’s unemployment rate had . . .
Montana Successfully Replaces Decades-Old Unemployment Insurance System
November 09, 2023
System modernization will improve customer experience, increase efficiencies, save taxpayer resources MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry has successfully launched its new unemployment . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adds First-Ever Tribal Liaison to Leadership Team
October 26, 2023
Blackfeet Nation member Don Wetzel Jr., with 20+ years of experience working with native communities, to lead Department’s tribal outreach Don Wetzel, Jr. DLI Tribal Laison   HELENA -The . . .
Montana Reaches 22nd Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
September 19, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s . . .
Labor Day Report: Montana's Economy Strong & Poised for Growth
September 07, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson today presented the 2023 Labor Day Report to Montanans. “Montana enjoyed a historic year of record job growth, low . . .
Montana’s Unemployment Rate Below 3% For 21st Consecutive Month
August 21, 2023
More Montanans Working Today Than Ever Before HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in July is below 3% for the 21st consecutive month. The only . . .
Governor Gianforte Appoints Commissioner of Labor and Industry
August 10, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Sarah Swanson to lead the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “As a proven leader in both the private and . . .
Governor Gianforte Announces Another Record-Setting Jobs Report
December 16, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working in November hit a new all-time high, according to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the . . .
Montana’s Record Employment, Labor Force Growth Continues in September
October 21, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working and the size of the state’s workforce in September reached new all-time highs, according to data from the . . .
  Montana Post-Secondary Workforce Report Highlights Opportunities for Montana Workers
October 21, 2022
HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry this week released the 2022 Post-Secondary Workforce Report, which evaluates how the state’s workforce training systems provide a . . .
Montanans Impacted by Flooding in Yellowstone County May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
July 27, 2022
Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that workers in Yellowstone County impacted by June flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Disaster . . .
Montana's Labor Force, Total Employment Grow in June
July 16, 2021
MONTANA – Montana’s labor force grew by more than 2,000 workers in June, while total employment in the state grew by some 1,800 workers. “More and more Montanans are . . .
Changes to UI Benefits & Eligibility
May 05, 2021
Important Notice: Changes to Federal UI Programs and Eligibility Requirements Montana’s Department of Labor & Industry will be making changes to several pandemic-related unemployment programs in the . . .
UI waiting week to be reinstated in Montana
January 29, 2021
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today announced that the one-week waiting period for Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants will be reinstated, effective Sunday, January 31, . . .

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