Self-employed workers and others who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment insurance were able to begin filing for benefits last week, and Job Service Kalispell remains as busy as ever trying to help the local workforce navigate its unemployment options.

While Job Service’s office remains closed to in-person appointments, Manager Laura Gardner stressed her staff is still available by phone or email to answer questions.

Last week Pandemic Unemployment Assistance became available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act for self-employed workers, gig workers and other previously ineligible workers. Gardner explained there is a specific group at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry that is dedicated to dealing with this new initiative. She said these staff members are a more specialized resource than Job Service for people in this category facing unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-employed people and others filing for PUA should call 406-444-3382 or email PUAClaims@mt.gov for help specifically related to PUA.

Gardner also said the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s “frequently asked questions” page has answers to most of the questions Job Service regularly encounters. The page can be found at: http://dli.mt.gov/self-employed-contractors

To file for PUA benefits, applicants should go to mtpua.mt.gov, even if they already applied on MontanaWorks.gov. PUA claims will be backdated to the week of March 15, and the state expects to start issuing payments under this program to approved claimants within the week.

Gardner is hopeful more self-employed people will realize they are now eligible for these benefits and start their applications.

She pointed out there are a range of other benefits available to Montanans who have lost work from the pandemic, including an additional 13 weeks of benefits available to workers who have already exhausted their initial unemployment benefits. Gardner said anyone who has already used up their unemployment benefits from the start of the pandemic should file for extended benefits under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

However, she explained the state has to undergo an “extensive IT upgrade” before these benefits will be available, and there is currently no time-line for when the upgrade will be completed. The upgrade will eventually be announced on the Department of Labor website and social media.

While she can’t predict how the planned reopening of Montana businesses will impact unemployment trends, Gardner is nevertheless hopeful Job Service Kalispell will soon be able to refocus on the traditional job training they provide, such as interview practice and resume-building, as opposed to COVID-related unemployment issues.

In the meantime, she said, “we’re doing everything we can to help during this COVID time.”

Job Service Kalispell can be reached at https://montanaworks.gov/job-service-montana or (406) 758-6200.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.