Unemployment Insurance Division

Paul Martin — Administrator

Unemployment Claimant

File for Unemployment

Temporary income for qualified workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are looking for full-time work or for approved training.

Re-Employment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA)

UI Claimant Dashboard

Reopen a Claim

UI Claimant Dashboard

File for a Redetermination or Appeal

UI Claimant Dashboard

Register with Job Service

Job Service Montana offices are part of a statewide network of workforce development centers that collaborate with community partners to provide customer focused employment and training opportunities. These centers assist in preparing, training, and connecting a highly skilled workforce to local businesses.

Request Weekly Payment

UI Claimant Dashboard

Unemployment Services for Claimant FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Unemployment Insurance Services and changes coming October of 2023 to the MUSE system.

Eligibility Requirements

Claimants

Audio/Video Assistance

Claimants

Work Search Requirements

Requirements for continued eligibility for maintaining unemployment insurance benefits.

Report Hours and Earnings

Claimants

Trade Readjustment Act

Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) is a special program created by the federal government to retrain workers who were laid off due to increased imports. TRA benefits may be payable to eligible workers following exhaustion of their unemployment insurance benefits, if they are participating in, or have completed an approved training p . . .

Benefits Estimator

Approximate your potential benefit amounts if you were to file your unemployment claim this week.

Unemployment Services for Federal Employees Affected by a Government Shutdown FAQ

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Unemployment Insurance Services for employees affected by a Government Shutdown.

Claimants Redetermination / Appeal FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about both Redeterminations and Appeals

Commonly asked Questions on UI Overpayments

Benefit Overpayments

Report Fraud and Identity Theft

Report Fraud

Register a Business

Employers

Submit Quarterly Report (UI-5)

Employers

Pay and/or File Tax

Employers

Employer Resources

Employer Handbook, ABC Clinics, SafetyFestMT and more

Unemployment Insurance - UI eServices for Employers

Employers frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Unemployment Insurance Services and changes coming October of 2023 to the MUSE system.

Administrative Rules

Employers

Unemployment Laws

Employers

Employers Redetermination / Appeal FAQs

Employers

Claimant Handbook

A Guide to Unemployment Insurance Benefits: Your Rights and Responsibilities.

Manual Del Reclamante - Spanish Handbook

Una Guía de los Beneficios de Seguro de Desempleo: Sus Derechos y Responsabilidades

Hours & Earnings Worksheet

Claimant Forms

Rate Notice Insert

Current rate schedule for experience rated employers.

Notice to Employees

Important information regarding Unemployment Compensation

Employer Handbook

An employer’s guide to Unemployment Insurance tax reporting and Claims Processing.

Montana UI Contributions E-Filing Handbook

Instructions and specifications for electronic report filing and/or payment.

UI Quick Facts - 10 Year Review

A 10-Year Summary of Unemployment Insurance Statistics

UI Quick Facts - 2 Year Review

A 2-Year Summary of Unemployment Insurance Statistics

Domestic Violence Report

Biennial Report

Work Search Record

Claimant Forms

Refusal of Work Report Form

Forms

Declined Missed Interview Form

Forms

Office of Administrative Hearings

The Office of Administrative Hearings holds impartial administrative hearings and provides dispute resolution services in unemployment insurance cases, wage and hour claims, public employee collective bargaining and unfair labor practices cases, state employee classification appeals and grievances, uninsured employer regulatory matt . . .

Labor Market Information

Labor Market Information for Montana including: Unemployment Rates, Industry, Wage, Occupation, Career Resources and other Publications.

Benefits Estimator

Labor Market Information for Montana including: Unemployment Rates, Industry, Wage, Occupation, Career Resources and other Publications.

Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

If you are dissatisfied with the Board’s decision, you have the right to appeal it by filing a Petition for Judicial Review within 30 days after the decision was sent to you.

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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