Unemployment After Being Fired in Montana
Whether you can collect unemployment in Montana after being fired, what counts as misconduct, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: You may not receive benefits if you were suspended or discharged for misconduct; being discharged for other reasons does not disqualify you. Montana UI Claimant Handbook (December 2025), Eligibility for Benefits; Requalification; UI terms
| If you were fired | You may not receive benefits if you were suspended or discharged for misconduct; being discharged for other reasons does not disqualify you. Gross misconduct (a criminal act you were convicted of or admitted, or flagrant or wanton disregard of the rights or interests of a co-worker or the employer) disqualifies you for 52 weeks. After a misconduct disqualification, you can requalify by showing enough earnings from a new job covered by unemployment insurance. |
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| Appealing a denial | You have 10 days from the date of a determination to request a redetermination (once per issue). If you disagree with the redetermination, you have 10 days to request a telephone hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings. Hearing decisions can be appealed to the Board of Labor Appeals and then to District Court. Keep requesting payments during every step. |
Where to get help in Montana
More Montana unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Montana Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Montana
- Unemployment After Quitting in Montana
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Montana
- How to File for Unemployment in Montana
- All Montana unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Montana?
You may not receive benefits if you were suspended or discharged for misconduct; being discharged for other reasons does not disqualify you. Gross misconduct (a criminal act you were convicted of or admitted, or flagrant or wanton disregard of the rights or interests of a co-worker or the employer) disqualifies you for 52 weeks. After a misconduct disqualification, you can requalify by showing enough earnings from a new job covered by unemployment insurance.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Montana?
You have 10 days from the date of a determination to request a redetermination (once per issue). If you disagree with the redetermination, you have 10 days to request a telephone hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings. Hearing decisions can be appealed to the Board of Labor Appeals and then to District Court. Keep requesting payments during every step.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.