1. (1) A valid work search contact requires a claimant to directly contact an insured employer, or an authorized agent of an insured employer, and complete a job application or submit a resume that enables the insured employer to contact the claimant to arrange an interview or to commence insured employment. The claimant must possess the prior work experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to qualify for the specific job opening.
2. (2) A valid work search contact includes a claimant's registration for work at a temporary employment agency.
3. (3) A valid work search does not include seeking self-employment, working as an independent contractor, reporting part-time work, or registering with the department's workforce services program.
4. (4) A claimant shall report at least one valid work search contact with a different insured employer, or for a different position with the same insured employer, for each consecutive week that the claimant requests benefit payments.
5. (5) The claimant shall retain all work search contact information necessary for verification by the department. The department may request all information relevant to the work search contact.
6. (6) Claimants who are job attached or union attached may be exempt from work search contact requirements as determined by the department.

Authorizing statute(s): 39-51-301, 39-51-302, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 39-51-2104, 39-51-2115, 39-51-2304, MCA

History: NEW, 2024 MAR p. 1458, Eff. 7/1/24; AMD, 2025 MAR, Notice No. 2025-29, Eff. 7/1/25.