Montana Code Annotated 1997

MCA ContentsSearchPart Contents


     39-51-2201. Weekly benefit amount -- determination of average weekly wage. (1) For claims filed before July 7, 1985, an eligible individual's weekly benefit amount shall be the total base period wages divided by the number of weeks of covered employment times 50%. The weekly benefit amount, if not a multiple of $1, must be rounded to the nearest lower full dollar amount. However, such amount shall not be less than the minimum or more than the maximum weekly benefit amount. For claims effective July 7, 1985, and filed before July 7, 1991, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be the total base period wages divided by the number of weeks of covered employment times 49%. The weekly benefit amount, if not a multiple of $1, must be rounded to the nearest lower full dollar amount. However, such amount shall not be less than the minimum or more than the maximum weekly benefit amount.
     (2) For claims filed on or after July 7, 1991, an individual's weekly benefit amount must be an amount equal to 1% of the total base period wages or equal to 1.9% of the total wages paid in the 2 calendar quarters in which wages were the highest during the base period. The weekly benefit amount, if not a multiple of $1, must be rounded to the nearest lower full dollar amount. However, the amount may not be less than the minimum or more than the maximum weekly benefit amount.
     (3) On or before May 31 of each year, the total wages paid by all employers as reported on contribution reports submitted on or before such date for the preceding calendar year shall be divided by the average monthly number of individuals employed during the same preceding calendar year as reported on such contribution reports. The amount thus obtained is the average annual wage. The average annual wage divided by 52, rounded to the nearest cent, is the average weekly wage. Sixty percent of the average weekly wage shall constitute the maximum weekly benefit amount and shall apply to all maximum weekly benefit amount claims for benefits filed to establish a benefit year commencing on or after July 1 of the same year, except that the maximum weekly benefit amount for benefit years commencing on or after July 1, 1984, through January 3, 1987, is the amount calculated under this subsection after January 1, 1984, and on or before May 31, 1984. Such maximum weekly benefit amount, if not a multiple of $1, shall be computed to the nearest lower full dollar amount.
     (4) The minimum weekly benefit amount shall be 15% of the average weekly wage. The minimum weekly benefit amount, if not a multiple of $1, shall be computed to the nearest lower full dollar amount.

     History: En. Sec. 3 (a), (b), (c), Ch. 137, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 137, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 164, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 245, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 178, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 191, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 238, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 140, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 156, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 269, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 4, Ex. L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 169, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 394, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 400, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 528, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 87-103(b); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 688, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 349, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 193, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 371, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 485, L. 1991.

Previous SectionHelpNext Section
Provided by Montana Legislative Services