Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division

Montana · Unemployment

uid.dli.mt.gov

State Unemployment Benefits in Montana

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry administers unemployment insurance through its Unemployment Insurance Division, with claims filed through the MUSE Claimant Center. When a claimant dies, Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205 directs all accrued benefits due and payable at the time of death to the surviving spouse, then to surviving children, then to the next of kin, with no letters testamentary or letters of administration required.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Report the claimant's death to the Montana Unemployment Insurance Claims Processing Center at (406) 444-2545.
2
Identify who is entitled under Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205: the surviving spouse first, then the surviving children, then the next of kin.
3
Ask the Division which weeks were certified and remain accrued, due, and payable as of the date of death.
4
Provide what the Division asks for, such as a certified copy of the death certificate and proof of your relationship to the claimant. Letters testamentary or of administration are not required by the statute.

State Unemployment Benefits in Montana: key facts

What Montana says5

Reporting a death

A claimant's death is reported to the Division's Claims Processing Center, the office to ask what proof of relationship and death the Division wants before it releases the accrued benefits.1, 2

Benefits at and after the death

Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205 pays all accrued benefits due and payable at the time of a claimant's death to the claimant's surviving spouse, surviving children or next of kin.3

Who may claim a final payment

Under Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205 the accrued benefits go to the surviving spouse; if there is none, to the surviving children; if there are none, to the next of kin.3

Documents for a final payment

Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205 pays the recipient without letters testamentary or letters of administration.3

Claimant portal

Claims are filed through the MUSE Claimant Center at uiclaimant.mt.gov.4

Governing law: Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205

Not in Montana's published guidance2

  • A claim form
  • A deceased-claimant procedure page

Sources4

  1. 1.Claimant contact (Montana Unemployment Insurance Division)
  2. 2.Unemployment Insurance Division (Montana Department of Labor and Industry)
  3. 3.Mont. Code Ann. 39-51-2205, Continuation of benefits at death of claimant
  4. 4.MUSE Claimant Center

Montana unemployment benefits

Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Division

Mailing address

Claims Processing Center, P.O. Box 8020, Helena, MT 59604-8020
Verified Aug 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in Montana

Free tools for settling an estate in Montana: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Montana: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 daysMCA §§ 72-3-607, 72-3-609Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?

Montana requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Mont. Code Ann. § 15-30-2103 (as amended by Ch. 227, L. 2025 — HB 337)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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