The base period is the length of time used both to determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits and to calculate the amount you will receive.
In Montana, the base period is the first four of the five complete calendar quarters immediately before you filed for benefits. For example, if you file for benefits on March 15, 2024, your base period will be from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. It would not include the most recent complete calendar quarter before you filed (October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023) or the first two-and-a-half months of 2024.
If you did not earn enough to qualify for benefits during the regular base period, you may be able to use an alternate base period that counts more recent earnings. In Montana, the alternate base period is the last four complete calendar quarters before you file your claim.
If you did not earn enough during the regular base period to qualify for benefits due to a temporary total disability, you may be entitled to an extended base period. In Montana, the extended base period is the earlier four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you became disabled, as long as you file your claim for benefits within 24 months of incurring your disability.