Job service offers resume, training, unemployment filing assistance
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POLSON – Between early January and early April the number of Montanans who were receiving unemployment insurance increased by 49,000, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
Many people have lost their jobs due to business closures and the economic decline associated with efforts to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Polson’s Job Service Montana office is available to support those whose employment has been impacted by the virus.
“This is a very stressful time and all of us are affected in some way,” said Erin Krantz, manager of Polson’s job service office.
The service can help people apply for support through unemployment insurance. Job service employees have been trained to answer commonly asked questions about unemployment insurance and the state’s employment website, which is MontanaWorks.
Krantz recommended that people go to the frequently asked questions page on DLI.mt.gov/covid-19 for basic questions about COVID-19 and employment. The page provides information for employers and employees and contains educational videos. Montanans can file for unemployment using montanaworks.gov.
The federal government recently passed the CARES act, which allows those who are self-employed to receive unemployment assistance. The self-employed can apply for benefits at montanaworks.gov, but Krantz cautioned that the state government is still fine-tuning systems to help people get those payments, and people might have to wait.
The office is closed but the staff continues to provide their usual services remotely by phone. Those looking for work can get help writing resumes and cover letters and preparing for interviews. Job training programs are continuing. The job service continues to support local businesses by answering employment questions and assisting with recruitment.
“We want to emphasize to the community that we’re here for them and want to help with as much as we possibly can,” Krantz said.
Those who are interested in getting assistance from the job service should call the office at 406- 883-7880.
