On June 8, 2021, the Montana Budget & Policy Center submitted formal comment to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, raising concerns with the proposed end to pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) benefits later this month. The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, providing an additional $300 in benefits, and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, for self-employed, underemployed, and independent contractors, have been critical programs as many families continue to face barriers to employment. According to the National Employment Law Project, approximately 25,000 Montanans could face the loss of benefits used to support their families. For more information, see our blog Ending Pandemic Unemployment Early Won’t Fix Barriers to Finding Work.
To read our submitted comments, download the PDF here.
MBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.