Unemployed Montanans to receive extra $200 weekly payments for 4 weeks

HELENA — Unemployed Montanans whose employment was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive an additional $200 each week for a total of four weeks.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced Wednesday an additional $25 million in leftover CARES Act funding would be used for unemployment relief through the Interim Pandemic Assistance (IPA) program.

All CARES Act funding must be spent by Dec. 30.

“Montana is one of only a few states using a portion of its remaining CARES Act funds to supplement unemployment benefits,” said Brenda Nordlund of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. “For folks who are still unemployed or underemployed nine months into the pandemic, an extra $200 even for a few weeks will make a significant impact for them and their families.”

The additional funds are available to eligible claimants beginning the UI week ending Nov. 28, through benefit week ending Dec. 19, 2020.

Eligible Montanans are those who are unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 disruptions and are receiving unemployment benefits under the regular unemployment insurance, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry paid $8.6 million to around 20,000 individuals through their unemployment insurance programs for the week of Nov. 23 through Nov. 27.

Individuals in need of employment can contact a local job service office for job openings and training opportunities. Thousands of jobs are currently available across the state in varying fields.