How Much Unemployment Pays in Montana
How Montana calculates weekly unemployment benefits, the current minimum and maximum, and how many weeks you can collect.
Short answer: Your weekly benefit amount is the greater of 1% of your total base period wages or 1.9% of your wages in the two highest base period quarters, within a state minimum and maximum. Montana Unemployment Insurance Division, Benefits Estimator
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit amount is the greater of 1% of your total base period wages or 1.9% of your wages in the two highest base period quarters, within a state minimum and maximum. The agency's benefit estimator currently uses a minimum of $238 and a maximum of $805 per week. The minimum and maximum are updated each year; the estimator does not state the effective date of the current figures. |
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| How many weeks | Your maximum benefit amount is your weekly benefit amount times a number of weeks, up to 24 weeks, based on your base period wages. If you work while claiming, your benefits can last longer, within the 52-week benefit year. |
| Waiting week | Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week. You must file a payment request and meet all requirements for it. There is only one waiting week per benefit year. |
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 Being Fired in Montana
- Unemployment After Quitting in Montana
- How to File for Unemployment in Montana
- All Montana unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
How much is unemployment in Montana?
Your weekly benefit amount is the greater of 1% of your total base period wages or 1.9% of your wages in the two highest base period quarters, within a state minimum and maximum. The agency's benefit estimator currently uses a minimum of $238 and a maximum of $805 per week.
How long can you get unemployment in Montana?
Your maximum benefit amount is your weekly benefit amount times a number of weeks, up to 24 weeks, based on your base period wages. If you work while claiming, your benefits can last longer, within the 52-week benefit year.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Montana?
Yes. The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week. You must file a payment request and meet all requirements for it. There is only one waiting week per benefit year.
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.