MT Dept. of Labor Begins Paying Federal $600 Stimulus Benefit

On Wednesday, Montana Department of Labor & Industry Acting Commissioner Brenda Nordlund announced that Montana has begun paying the additional $600 Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit established with the passage of the recent federal stimulus package, or CARES Act.

If you use direct deposit, you should expect to see the funds deposited in your account within two to three days, if not sooner.

If you receive a check, you should expect to your payment within the week.

For those that are self-employed, the DLI will begin processing claims as soon as possible and benefits will be backdated as provided under the law.

 We understand the difficulties of many Montanans who are out of work due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we know that these benefits are providing relief,” said Nordlund. “We are working as hard as we can to make sure that everyone receives their benefits as quickly as possible. This is an important step in employing the assistance provided as part of the CARES Act. We continue to urge patience, as the department works to implement all the components of this vital legislation.

Under the legislation, anyone receiving unemployment compensation benefits is eligible for the additional $600 a week stimulus payment. The payment is added to the recipient’s state weekly benefit amount . The payments will be made for eligible weeks beginning the UI week ending April 4 through July 25, 2020.

 Programs included in the CARES Act legislation:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)- Provides an additional $600 per week to any individual eligible for any of the Unemployment Compensation programs. This benefit is retroactive for those who had a claim beginning the UI filing week of March 29 through April 4, 2020.
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)- Allows for an additional 13 weeks of benefits added to the end of regular unemployment benefits. This means claimants may collect unemployment benefits for a longer period of time than under normal circumstances.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)- Provides unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them, including the self-employed .

DLI is providing daily updates for Montana employers and individuals impacted by COVID-19. For more information, click here.