Montana Unemployment Benefits

To qualify in Montana, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period, been separated from work through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. You must also meet ongoing work search requirements.

Yes, but your benefits will be reduced. Montana's rule: 25% of WBA disregard; earnings above reduce by $0.50 per dollar. You must report all earnings weekly, including contract/freelance income.

Yes, you can do contract or part-time work while collecting unemployment in Montana, but your earnings will reduce your weekly benefit. Montana's partial earnings rule: 25% of WBA disregard; earnings above reduce by $0.50 per dollar. You must report all earnings for the week you performed the work (not when you received payment). If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim remains active. Important: independent contractor income counts as earnings and must be reported weekly.

Montana offers between 8 and 28 weeks of benefits depending on your work history and base period wages.

Montana calculates your weekly benefit using the formula: Lower of: 1% of total base period wages OR 1.9% of wages in two highest quarters. The maximum weekly benefit is $698 and the minimum is $207.

Montana ties your benefit duration (8–28 weeks) to your base period earnings relative to your weekly benefit amount. Workers with more consistent employment history receive longer durations.