Job Services Bozeman may have closed their doors for now, but inside, they’re busy at work helping people apply for unemployment insurance and look for work in Gallatin County and the surrounding area.
“No sooner do we hang up the phone from helping one customer, but the phone rings for the next customer,” said Michele Letendre, counselor at Bozeman Job Service.
Bozeman Job Service says they’re receiving around 200 calls a day, from within Gallatin County and beyond.
“As the COVID 19 impacts the life and work of Montanans across the state. It has created the demand for our services, especially unemployment,” said Holly Wolfe, workforce consultant supervisor at the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
Many people are calling with questions about registering for unemployment insurance.
Some are calling wondering when exactly benefits will arrive.
“Many people who are frantic to get a check and we don’t have that answer locally,” said Letendre.
According to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, over 24,000 unemployment insurance payments were issued over the week of March 29th through April 5th to provide benefits to Montanans impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, which amounts to over $7.8 million dollars in payments.
And over 22,000 new or reactivated claims were filed over that time.
People are continuing to apply for unemployment insurance, and Bozeman Job Service says they’re ready to continue helping people in the process.
“We’re all in this together. And Job Service Bozeman is here to help anyone during this time,” said Wolfe.
