The Michigan jobless rate edged slightly in September, but it remains lower than the national average. The economy is recovering, but it will be some time before the state’s unemployment rate returns to pre-pandemic levels. The number of jobs added in the month was slightly better than expected. The gains were mostly in the professional business services and leisure and hospitality sectors. In Michigan’s manufacturing sector, wages slipped by one-tenth of a percent. Michigan unemployment benefits are available to unemployed workers who meet the state’s criteria. To qualify, you must be a Michigan resident and unemployed through no fault of your own. In addition, you must be actively seeking work and available for full-time employment. You can file a Michigan unemployment claim online or by phone. The state’s website offers information and resources for workers.
How to File for Michigan Unemployment Benefits?
To file for Michigan unemployment benefits, you must meet a few requirements. First, you must be a resident of the state and currently unemployed through no fault of your own. You must also be actively seeking full-time work. If you’re self-employed or worked for a family business, there are additional criteria you must meet to qualify for unemployment benefits.
To claim unemployment benefits, you must first register with the UIA and create an account at MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager). You’ll need to provide your Social Security number and information about your past employment, including your start date, last day of work, and gross earnings for each job. You must also provide the reason you became unemployed (ie., lay off, fired, labor dispute, etc).
The UIA will process your application and send you a packet of documents called a monetary determination. This will list your potential weekly benefit amount. If you’re approved for unemployment, you must certify that you’re searching for work every two weeks. You can do this online or by phone.
If you’re denied benefits, you can appeal by submitting a protest to the UIA within 30 days of receiving the determination. Alternatively, you can ask for an in-person hearing with the Appeals Commission. However, it’s important to understand that you may have to pay back four times the amount of benefits you receive if found guilty of fraud or misrepresentation.