Montana Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Montana weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Montana pays up to $805 a week for up to 24 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Montana weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$520/week
≈ 52% of your weekly wage · Montana · estimate only
Max Duration
24 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$12,480
Montana pays 8 to 24 weeks (MCA 39-51-2204): the number of weeks comes from the ratio of your total base-period wages to your highest quarter, from 8 weeks at a ratio under 1.25 up to 24 weeks at a ratio of 3.00 or more. Your total benefit is your weekly amount times those weeks.
Montana has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 52% up to Montana's $805 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How Montana Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA is the GREATER of (a) 1% of total base-period wages, or (b) 1.9% of the wages in the claimant's two highest base-period quarters. Result is clamped to the state min/max. Max/min are set annually as a percent of the statewide average weekly wage under the schedule in effect (Schedule I in 2026: max = 67.5% of AWW, min = 20% of AWW).
The result is capped at Montana's $805 maximum and floored at its $238 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 24 weeks. Montana pays 8 to 24 weeks (MCA 39-51-2204): the number of weeks comes from the ratio of your total base-period wages to your highest quarter, from 8 weeks at a ratio under 1.25 up to 24 weeks at a ratio of 3.00 or more. Your total benefit is your weekly amount times those weeks.
Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division.
Who Qualifies in Montana
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. An alternate base period (the 4 most recently completed quarters) is available if the claimant does not qualify under the standard period.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have base-period wages in at least 2 quarters and total base-period wages of at least roughly 1.5x the high-quarter wages (and meet a minimum-earnings threshold tied to the statewide average weekly wage). Montana also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Montana?
Montana pays roughly 52% of your average weekly wage, from a $238 minimum up to a $805 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Montana?
Up to 24 weeks. Montana pays 8 to 24 weeks (MCA 39-51-2204): the number of weeks comes from the ratio of your total base-period wages to your highest quarter, from 8 weeks at a ratio under 1.25 up to 24 weeks at a ratio of 3.00 or more. Your total benefit is your weekly amount times those weeks.
How is my Montana weekly benefit calculated?
WBA is the GREATER of (a) 1% of total base-period wages, or (b) 1.9% of the wages in the claimant's two highest base-period quarters. Result is clamped to the state min/max. Max/min are set annually as a percent of the statewide average weekly wage under the schedule in effect (Schedule I in 2026: max = 67.5% of AWW, min = 20% of AWW).
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Montana?
$805 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on Montana's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-09-29. Only Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.