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The Montana Relief Commission was established by the 1933 Montana legislature to administer federal funds provided by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The Commission, which consisted of of 5 members, could appoint county committees to administer funds locally. The Commission established rules for applying for relief, for maintaining adequate standards, and making reports. As the national and state-wide depression worsened, a special session of the 1933 Legislature set up an emergency relief fund to be administered by the Commission, and also appropriated $750,000 for the Commission to provide employment for the unemployed.

In 1935 the Legislature passed a new law codifying the various relief measures which had previously been passed and created a State Department of Public Relief to be the administrative arm of the Commission. The duties of the Commission were also expanded and funding increased to $3,000,000. A Montana Relief Administrator was appointed to head the Department.

In 1937, the Montana Relief Commission merged with the Old Age Pension Fund, the Child Welfare Division of the Board of Health, the State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection, and the State Board of Charities and Reform to form the new Montana Department of Public Welfare. In 1971, following the state government reoganization, the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services replaced the Department of Public Welfare. In 1995, the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services combined with parts of the Department of Heath and Environmental Sciences to form the Department of Public Health and Human Services.