Montana Unemployment Calculator
As of October 19, 2026, regular Montana unemployment pays $238 to $805 a week for 8 to 24 weeks. These amounts are computed from the statute and the average weekly wage DLI posts for benefit years from July 1, 2026, and are rounded to the nearest dollar; the U.S. DOL July 2026 compilation still lists $227 and $767. Enter your wages for the four quarters of your base period to estimate your weekly benefit, your maximum total benefit and which rule capped it.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Formulas and sources checked October 19, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Weekly benefit range (October 19, 2026)
$238 to $805
Effective July 1, 2026
Maximum weeks
8 to 24
Regular state benefits only
State income tax on benefits
Taxable
Federal income tax applies in every state
Montana unemployment benefit calculator
Which months are my four quarters?
The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. The quarter you file in, and the one just before it, are left out. Enter the quarters in order, oldest first. Each quarter is three calendar months: January to March, April to June, July to September, October to December.
| If you file in | Your base period is |
|---|---|
| January to March 2026 | October 2024 to September 2025 |
| April to June 2026 | January to December 2025 |
| July to September 2026 | April 2025 to March 2026 |
| October to December 2026 | July 2025 to June 2026 |
Use gross wages (before taxes) from every covered job, in the quarter they were earned. If your wages are too low under this period, many states test an alternate base period made of the last four completed quarters.
Enter your wages above to see your Montana estimate.
The state also runs its own estimator: Montana DLI Benefits Estimator.
How much does unemployment pay in Montana?
Montana sets your weekly amount at 1 percent of your total base period wages or 1.9 percent of your wages in your two highest quarters, rounded down to the dollar. The statute joins the two with "or"; this calculator uses the higher one.
The result is held between a minimum of 20 percent and a maximum of 67.5 percent of the state average weekly wage: $238 to $805 for benefit years beginning July 1, 2026, computed from the $1,192.06 wage DLI posts and rounded to the nearest dollar. Montana has no dependents allowance.
Montana uses the first four of the last five completed quarters. If that period does not qualify you, DOL lists an alternative base period of the last four completed quarters, and an extended base period for claimants disabled for part of the base period. This calculator uses the regular base period you enter.
Montana unemployment eligibility: the wage tests
These are the monetary tests only. Montana also decides whether you lost your job through no fault of your own and whether you are able and available to work.
- Base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter and at least 7 percent of the state average annual wage (about $4,339), or
- base period wages of at least 50 percent of the state average annual wage (about $30,993).
Maximum weeks and maximum benefit amount
Montana multiplies your weekly amount by weeks from a table that depends on the ratio of your base period wages to your highest quarter: 8 weeks at a ratio under 1.25, 2 more weeks for every 0.25 up to 22 weeks at 2.75, and 24 weeks at a ratio of 3.00 or more. Steady wages across the year earn the longest claims.
Working part time while collecting
Montana pays your weekly amount less 50 percent of the part of your weekly wages that is above one-fourth of your weekly amount. Wages, the one-fourth figure and the halved amount are each rounded down to the dollar, as in the DLI handbook example.
Are Montana unemployment benefits taxable?
Unemployment benefits are taxable income on your federal return in every state. Unemployment compensation is taxable in Montana starting with tax year 2024; the state repealed its earlier exemption. DLI reports your benefits on a Form 1099-G, and you can choose 10 percent federal withholding at MontanaWorks.
How to apply in Montana
File your claim at MontanaWorks.gov, then request payment every week.
Montana DLI Unemployment Insurance Division
When this changes: Montana computes a new average weekly wage by May 31 and applies new minimum and maximum amounts to benefit years beginning on or after July 1 each year. Minimum and maximum (20 and 67.5 percent of the average weekly wage) reset each July 1 for new benefit years; $238 and $805 computed from the SFY 2027 wage of $1,192.06; DOL July 2026 still lists $227 and $767.
Frequently asked questions
How much does unemployment pay in Montana?
Regular Montana unemployment pays between $238 and $805 a week as of October 19, 2026. These amounts are computed from the statute and the average weekly wage DLI posts for benefit years from July 1, 2026, and are rounded to the nearest dollar; the U.S. DOL July 2026 compilation still lists $227 and $767. Your amount depends on the wages you were paid in your base period. Montana sets your weekly amount at 1 percent of your total base period wages or 1.9 percent of your wages in your two highest quarters, rounded down to the dollar. The statute joins the two with "or"; this calculator uses the higher one.
How is the Montana weekly benefit amount calculated?
Montana sets your weekly amount at 1 percent of your total base period wages or 1.9 percent of your wages in your two highest quarters, rounded down to the dollar. The statute joins the two with "or"; this calculator uses the higher one. The result is held between a minimum of 20 percent and a maximum of 67.5 percent of the state average weekly wage: $238 to $805 for benefit years beginning July 1, 2026, computed from the $1,192.06 wage DLI posts and rounded to the nearest dollar. Montana has no dependents allowance.
How long can I collect unemployment in Montana?
Montana multiplies your weekly amount by weeks from a table that depends on the ratio of your base period wages to your highest quarter: 8 weeks at a ratio under 1.25, 2 more weeks for every 0.25 up to 22 weeks at 2.75, and 24 weeks at a ratio of 3.00 or more. Steady wages across the year earn the longest claims.
Are unemployment benefits taxable in Montana?
Unemployment compensation is taxable in Montana starting with tax year 2024; the state repealed its earlier exemption. DLI reports your benefits on a Form 1099-G, and you can choose 10 percent federal withholding at MontanaWorks.
Can I work part time and still get Montana unemployment?
Montana pays your weekly amount less 50 percent of the part of your weekly wages that is above one-fourth of your weekly amount. Wages, the one-fourth figure and the halved amount are each rounded down to the dollar, as in the DLI handbook example.
Why does DOL list a different Montana maximum?
The U.S. DOL July 2026 compilation still lists $227 and $767, which are the amounts for benefit years that began from July 1, 2025. Montana computes new amounts each July 1 from the state average weekly wage. DLI now posts $1,192.06, which gives $805 and $238 after rounding to the nearest dollar. The statute does not say how to round the limits, so confirm the figure on your DLI monetary determination or the DLI benefits estimator.
Sources for Montana
- MCA 39-51-2201, Weekly benefit amountFormula, rounding, minimum and maximum percentages
- MCA 39-51-2105, Qualifying wages1.5 times, 7 percent and 50 percent tests
- MCA 39-51-2204, Maximum benefit amountWeeks table by wage ratio
- MCA 39-51-2202, Partial payment of benefitsPartial-week rule
- Montana LMI: Average weekly wages for UI benefitsState average weekly wage of $1,192.06 for SFY 2027
- Montana DLI: UI claimant handbookTaxable under federal law, 10 percent withholding
- U.S. DOL, Significant Provisions of State UI Laws (July 2026)Cross-check of minimum, maximum, weeks and the partial-benefit disregard
Sources checked October 19, 2026.
Verification note: The statutes and the LMI wage page were read directly. The $805 maximum and $238 minimum are our calculation from MCA 39-51-2201 (Schedule I: 67.5 and 20 percent) and the $1,192.06 average weekly wage on the LMI page, rounded to the nearest dollar; the statute does not state that rounding, which we infer from earlier DOL figures, and an unofficial guide lists the same amounts. DLI's benefits estimator needs a browser and was not read. The DOL July 2026 compilation still lists $227 and $767 (the prior fiscal year). The statute joins the 1 percent and 1.9 percent formulas with "or" and does not say which applies, so this calculator uses the higher one. The $4,339 and $30,993 wage tests are 7 and 50 percent of 52 times the same wage. The state tax sentence comes from a search excerpt of the Montana Department of Revenue guidance.