The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) is encouraging Montana employers to sign up for the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) to receive next-day Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims-related notices electronically.
“By signing up for this platform, employers can help us process claims faster and help their fellow Montanans access their benefits as quickly as possible,” Acting DLI Commissioner Brenda Nordlund said. “With the current level of UI claims and the phased reopening of Montana’s economy, we are utilizing every tool available to streamline claim processing while ensuring program integrity.”
SIDES is a free, convenient, and secure way for employers to electronically receive and respond to requests for information regarding UI benefits claims. Developed by the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), SIDES provides a nationally standardized format for responding to UI information requests. SIDES can significantly improve the UI information exchange process by assisting employers with providing timely responses and avoiding late penalties.
Employers can sign up at uieservices.mt.gov. While the platform is not required for Montana employers to use, it is strongly encouraged, as it ensures the accuracy and security of information being exchanged. For more information on how the SIDES system works in Montana, visit http://uid.dli.mt.gov/Portals/55/Documents/eServices/dli-uid-es026.pdf, or email uieservices@mt.gov.
The SIDES system decreases the potential for fraudulent unemployment claims by helping to ensure proper decisions are made on UI claimant eligibility. Prompt review of incoming notices by employers, combined with a quick response when appropriate, can help prevent UI fraud. DLI staff thoroughly review and investigate all reports of potential, alleged, or suspected fraud accordingly. Those found to have committed UI fraud are subject to penalties and/or criminal prosecution.
DLI encourages those who believe they have been a victim of, or suspect a person or business is committing UI fraud, to visit uid.dli.mt.gov/report-fraud. Montanans may also contact our fraud investigator by phone at (406) 444-1709, or by email at dliuidci@mt.gov. Those reporting UI fraud may remain anonymous.
The Office of Inspector General with the U.S. Department of Labor recently issued an Unemployment Insurance Fraud alert, reporting that scammers are targeting personal information. For more information on this alert, visit http://dli.mt.gov/Portals/57/Documents/covid-19/fraud-alert.pdf?ver=2020-04-16-140120-170.
DLI is reminding all UI claimants and unemployed Montanans to practice caution when providing people with personal information. Below are some indications that you may be a victim of an attempted scam by a bad actor or someone pretending to be a UI Claims Processing specialist:
DLI is providing daily updates for Montana employers and individuals impacted by COVID-19 at dli.mt.gov/covid-19. Montanans can also follow DLI on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for timely updates.
