Michigan Unemployment Benefit Questions

Michigan Unemployment Benefit Questions

Who qualifies for unemployment in Michigan?

Temporary unemployment benefits are available for Michigan workers who lost employment through no fault of their own and meet the unemployment eligibility criteria. There are both monetary and non-monetary requirements you must meet in order to receive unemployment compensation.

To qualify for Michigan unemployment insurance, you must be:

  • A Michigan resident
  • Available and willing to work
  • Lost your job through no fault of your own
  • Worked and earned enough wages during the Michigan base period

For a complete, in-depth explanation of requirements, visit our Michigan unemployment eligibility page to learn more and find out if you qualify.

How to file for unemployment in Michigan?

You can file for Michigan unemployment insurance online or over the phone.

The easiest and fastest way to apply for Michigan unemployment benefits is online through the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM).

After you apply, you can also use the MiWAM web portal to certify your benefits, check your claim status, update your personal information or payment method, file an appeal, and submit questions. Alternatively, you can contact MARVIN, Michigan’s Automated Response Voice Interactive Network, to certify your eligibility each week and ask for information about your UI benefits.

Before you apply for Michigan unemployment insurance, make sure you have the following information ready:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your contact information (address and phone number)
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Your Driver’s License or State ID card
  • Your Employment information from the past 18 months, including the name and address of your employers, gross earnings, and date of the first and last day you worked for each employer
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen, your Alien registration and expiry date of your work authorization

What disqualifies you from unemployment in Michigan?

There are many reasons you may be disqualified from receiving Michigan unemployment benefit payments, and one of them has to do with the reason you became unemployed. Remember that you must be unemployed by no fault of your own to be eligible for unemployment insurance.

Here are some examples of disqualifications:

  • You quit your previous job without good cause.
  • You were fired from your job due to misconduct (poor job performance, absence, violating work rules, etc.)
  • You did not accept a suitable work offer
  • You were involved in a labor dispute
  • You lost your job due to failing a drug test
  • You did not perform the required work search activities
  • You were not honest on your application and committed unemployment fraud

Will Michigan unemployment be extended?

Currently, there are no extended unemployment benefits in the state of Michigan.

Michigan extended unemployment programs can activate when the unemployment rate gets too high, there is a presidentially-declared natural disaster, or there is a pandemic like COVID-19. These extended benefits programs are designed to help people who have exhausted traditional unemployment benefits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan offered a variety of extended unemployment benefits. However, all of the CARES Act programs that were available during COVID ended in September 2021.

How long does a protest take for unemployment in Michigan?

If your Michigan unemployment application is denied and you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. After you file an appeal, it can take 2-6 weeks, depending on the circumstances.

You must file an appeal in writing within 30 days of receiving a denial notice to begin the appeals process.

How do I talk to someone at Michigan unemployment?

If you need help with your unemployment claim or have questions, you can contact Michigan unemployment staff during business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:45 PM. View the Michigan unemployment phone numbers.

You can also call MARVIN, an automated voice service that can help with basic questions and information you may need. The online portal is also available 24/7 if you need quick answers at any time of day or night. Additionally, you can visit a UIA office location in person (by appointment only).

Is Michigan unemployment taxable?

Yes, Michigan unemployment benefits are taxable. This means that you must report any unemployment compensation you receive on your tax return.

The state of Michigan sends out a 1099-G tax form to claimants showing the amount of unemployment benefits that was collected during the year. If you do not have taxes withheld from your UI benefits, then you may have a tax liability at the end of the year.

Do I still get my unemployment benefits if I enter a college, school or specialized training program?

This depends on the type of job training you are doing as determined by the UIA. Please contact the UIA to find out about your specific situation.

How much will I get in benefits?

To calculate your Weekly Benefit Amount, you can use the Michigan unemployment calculator.

  1. Multiply the wages you were paid in the high quarter of your base period by 4.1% (0.041). Round down to the nearest dollar.
  2. Add $6 for each dependent, up to 5 dependents.
  3. The sum of steps 1 and 2 is you Weekly Benefit Amount. It cannot be more than $362. The minimum Weekly Benefit Amount is $81.

Can I work and still collect unemployment benefits?

If you work less than full-time during a calendar week, you can obtain unemployment benefits for that week as long as the combination of what you earn plus your unemployment benefits is not more than 1.5 times your weekly unemployment rate.

How many weeks can I collect unemployment?

To calculate the number of weeks of entitlement,

  1. Multiply your total base period wages by 40% (0.4)
  2. Divide the result in step 1 by your Weekly Benefit Amount
  3. Round down to the nearest half-week. The result is the number of weeks you may receive benefits. The maximum is 20 weeks and the minimum is 14 weeks, except for benefits based on family employment, in which case benefits are limited to 7 weeks.

I work in a business my family owns. Can I collect unemployment insurance if I am laid off?

  1. If you work for a sole proprietorship owned by your spouse or child, or owned by your parent or parents (if you are under age 18), then you cannot draw unemployment benefits based on that work.
  2. If you work for a partnership comprised solely of your spouse or children, or comprised solely of your parents (if you are under age 18), then you cannot draw unemployment benefits based on that work, either.
  3. If, however, you work for a corporation more than 50% of whose shares are owned by you, or by your child or spouse, or any combination of these, benefits are limited to 7.5 weeks. Or, if you work for a corporation more than 50% of whose shares are owned by your parents and you are under age 18, benefits are limited to 7.5 weeks.

  1. If I am furloughed by my company but I have vacation time to use, do I have to use it before I am eligible for unemployment benefits? Can I use one day a week to cover the cost of my medical benefits that usually are taken out of my check and still file for unemployment?

  2. I work at home for a company out of Troy MI and live in Michigan my job is FT was Supervisor T2 iOS and T1 Mac, All year I was having womanly issues medical finally went to doctor which ended up having a surgery in September used FMLA just prior to surgery I was Written up Sept. 12th due to not meeting a goal of 85% for customer satisfaction emails after this surgery 2 weeks later had to have another surgery again I took FMLA in October again did not meet goal for surveys was put on final written oct 12, so I return to work and on return Nov 12th was told well we have decided as you did not meet Goals in oct to demote you and give you a pay cut of 1.00 so put back to a regular advisor iOS T1 and T1 Mac, Nothing to sign was verbally told all others were signed write ups now it states write up over 1/1/20 again however in November I did not meet goal I requested a week off in November personal was accepted by company so again only worked 3weeks of the month. I was then at this point after seeing doctor for same matter told I needed to have a 3rd surgery which just happened now in Dec 5th took FMLA again, Now in the time in November from being demoted and pay cut not once has my new Supervisor or Team Lead reached out or had any meetings with me the whole month we are to have weekly 1-1 meetings to see how and where I can improve and agree for me to try to attempt these, nothing happened usually you get a response that hey im your new team lead with there contact information and some info about them but nope nothing, we do have chat boxes also to seek help if we are stuck on questions or help our other team members well that now does not work and hadn’t worked since just prior to me taking this last FMLA for my hysterectomy. My question is this good cause to leave this company and find a new job and collect unemployment would you say?

    • I hope you get well soon. Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health conditions are not considered. Plus, you seem to be drawing compensation under FMLA as well. Please call the Unemployment Office to clarify.

      • No compensation FMLA is non paid this is not personal reasons this is unfair reason every time I was wrote up I am not getting a full month to get my stats to their expectations as I am out on leave I have contacted unemployment waiting on response I feel it’s discrimination from what I understood in FMLA the employer can demote nut must be equivalent job and you cannot pay cut is what I understood the supervisors are not following their job provisions either I also wrote my employer they said it is not a demotion however a fresh start they call it how is that not considered a demotion w a paycut… aggravated and confused sorry I will get to the bottom of it thanks for input

  3. My mom just had a court phone call yesterday and online for the claim its saying not adversely affected not quite understanding Michigan I’m not from here I’m from Louisville Kentucky can anyone help me understand

  4. I was basically forced to retire because the company continued to move me into a non position after 17 years. The reason not clear I have been applying for work for almost a year now with one interview. Is it possible to collect unemployment benefits as well as social security benefits??

    • Ernie,

      To qualify for UI benefits, the claimant is required to have active employment and earnings in the last 4-5 calendar quarters. Please use the “Benefits Calculator” available on this website and also call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  5. I was sick for the first two weeks of eligibility for unemployment in the state of Michigan. I have a doctor’s note indicating so – hospitalization and recovery. Am I eligible for these two weeks even though I was unable to work full-time?

    • Gina,

      Unemployment Insurance benefits are generally offered to claimants who lose their employment and earnings due to involuntary reasons. Please call the Unemployment Office to check if you’re eligible.

  6. If you have been working for a company for over a year and came into the company knowing you drive their company car. Then get a phone call stating the business is changing im selling all the business vehicles, you have to drive your own vehicle and employee stating I understand ig you can no longer work for me. can you collect unemployment.

    • Ann,

      Unemployment Insurance benefits are extended to applicants who lose their job due to involuntary reasons. In your case, it looks like it was not your fault. Please consider applying.

  7. If you accept a job and was eligible for unemployment, but the new job isn’t working out can you still receive unemployment?

    • Brittany,

      It depends on the actual reason for the possible job separation. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  8. I have 64 hours of sick days per calendar year at my job. If I use all my 64 hours I will be terminated . Can I collect unemployment

  9. if I have two days to file from termination (I was fired Thursday) but my call in day is Tuesday do I wait till then or call today?

    • Lisa,

      If you were fired due to voluntary reasons, you will not be able to claim. If otherwise, please consider filing after your last working day.

  10. I worked for a company for 5 years and they paid unemployment insurance. In December 2017 they changed my status to contractor and haven’t payed unemployment insurance since then. It appears that our funding will run out and I will be layed off. Am I eligible to receive unemployment insurance?

    • If the company does not pass the IRS SS-8 test
      (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss8.pdf) then the US department of labor calls it FRAUD and the company and/or individuals can be prosecuted. Michigan goes by the IRS definition found in the SS-8 pdf to determine if the company has a legitimate case for “employees” to become contractors. My wife lost her job because she refused to sign the W-9 form (NO CONTRACT ONLY CHANGE WAS NO LONGER EMPLOYEE STATUS). If it is done only to pocket the company more $ it is illegal). If all you supply is labor and have no risk then you are an employee (based on IRS determination). My wife won here unemployment and if the IRS sides with her in the SS-8 form there will be a lawsuit against the company. By the way the company she worked for returned about 2 months later to employee status. I had filed a fraud complaint with the Michigan UI fraud line and they said they would investigate.

    • Ken,

      I am not really sure about your eligibility. I suggest you call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  11. The company I worked for 23 years sold the company to a competitor. If they offer me a job with a drastically reduce in my pay and I don’t accept it can I still apply for Michigan unemployment? Thanks

    • Domingo,

      It depends on how your state would treat it. Please speak the Claims Center before making a decision on your employment.

  12. My job is being phased out gradually & I was offered under-employment, will that go against or change my unemployment benefits if I don’t find work.

    • Lynette,

      You can be eligible to claim partial Unemployment Insurance benefits for a reduction in the standard hours. If you lose the job due to involuntary reasons at a later time, please consider applying for benefits until you find another job.

  13. I am a part year teacher. The job will be offering contingent positions on an as needed basis. Meaning they will call me if they need me. Will this impact my unemployment benefits.

    • It will have a say. People in temp or contract jobs do not generally qualify to receive UI benefits.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further information.

    • I guess you should be able to since the systems are automated.

      Please inquire further with the Unemployment Office.

    • Not sure what it means. Please call the claims center on the phone numbers provided for further clarity.

  14. I’m a property manager for an apartment complex that is in receivership, the previous owner was foreclosed on the property and I work for the company that has been running the property for the past year. I am a salaried full time employee and I live and work in Saginaw, MI. The property is being auctioned on 04/20/2016. If another management company purchases the property and I’m let go will I be eligible for unemployment if my current employer offers me a job near their corporate office? There are a couple of factors that would effect my ability to transfer that far away, about an hour and a half. I have court ordered joint custody with my ex husband of our three children and I would not be able to relocate that far. Would I be eligible under these circumstances? Corporate office is approximately 90 miles away from my home in Saginaw.

    Best regards,
    Jen

    • Well, there are exceptions if you would like to voluntarily quit for obvious reasons such as relocation. Not sure how it works in Michigan.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for specific information.

  15. I worked for a year as a contractor. The contract was from Nov. 19, 2014 to Nov. 19, 2015. The contract end then. Can I claim unemployment benefits after looking for work for over 4 months now?

    • Contracted employees are generally not eligible.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further information.

  16. I started a new job, the owner then decided to close the business after a month due to third party insurance issues… AM I ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

    • If you’ve had active employment in the last 4-5 calendar quarters, please consider applying for UI benefits.

  17. Hi i have been with the same company for over 3 years. A year in the the company was switched to new owner same name just new location. I only claimed the most recent one and there is year and half not calculated for. Can i do a new claim on different location? The UIA noticed i didnt claim it and said they looking into it but have not heard nothing else 3 montyhs later. Please help

  18. My company has moved 42 miles from present location. We have been welcomed to keep our jobs and make the drive. Does declining the offer disqualify me from filing for unemployment?

  19. I worked for a company based in Indiana. I was just released for no cause. Can I file for benefits in my home state, Michigan, or must I file in the state, Indiana, where the company is located?

  20. I currently have not been re-hired by my school as a teacher. So I do qualify for unemployment that way. However, I work a part-time job 2-3 days a month. Is that going to affect my unemployment?

    • Seasonal workers such as teachers are generally not eligible to receive UI benefits.

      Please inquire with the labor authorities in your state before applying. You must declare the part time income as well.

  21. I’m getting laid off Sept 30 and have a pension plan that with unemployment and the pension plan will off set the loss in wages but heard you take away from the amt if I get a pension

    • Yes, that is correct. You may not be eligible to make weekly unemployment insurance claims if you draw pension.

      Please call the claims center/customer service of the labor dept. in your state for further information.

    • It does, in some states.

      Please check the effect of social security benefits on UI with the labor dept in your state.

    • Did you resign to be able to withdraw monies from 401 K account?

      In such a situation it is advisable to contact the claims center of the labor dept to let them know if you are being paid UI.

  22. I will be reduced from full time to 2 days a week on May 1 — will I be able to collect unemployment for three days? What happens if I work 3 days and off two?

  23. I don’t understand what Not Adversely Affected an I qualify for…..trying to get to the sight an it won’t allow me. Please explain that, I’m trying to collect my unemployment benefits that I qualify for

    • We are not a govt. organisation and do not have access to any confidential information.Please contact the claims line on 1-866-500-0017 for any clarifications.

  24. I have unemployment benefits due to me I have the chase card sent to me weeks ago its been 9 wks tomorrow since I applied I have sent 2monihs of job searches I have signed in with the state of ky looking for a job nothing yet it creating a great hardship on my family please let me know what is holding this up what can I do or what have I need to do get benefits thank you

  25. I started a new job 3 months ago. I completed my 90 day review period. After successfully completing this period, I was told that due to the economy and to the poor census at our locations (I work in a rehab/nursing facility), my hours would be cut approximately 10 hrs every two weeks, making my new hours approximately 35 hours a week, instead of 40. Can I collect unemployment for those hours I am losing? Thank you.

  26. if I closed my account to return to work and then go laid off again am I able to reopen my claim and use my remaining balance?

  27. I have unemployment benefits due to me. I have not received my card or direct deposit as of today. I was laid off on 04/19/13, Claimed weeks 04/27/13-05/04/13.
    I have not received a card or direct deposit for all or any benefits..How do I rectify this situation?
    Please answer quickly as I have a family to protect.
    Thank you for your time and immediate service.
    Sincerely;
    Shirley Kephart

    • Hi Shirley,

      I apologize for the delayed reply. The card reaches your address by mail. If is important to have provided correct information in the direct deposit for if you have chosen that option. You will have to contact the unemployment office at the earliest to notify that you haven’t received your pay.

      If you have filed for unemployment benefits by Internet or telephone and have a question or problem with your claim, call the telephone filed claims number using a touch-tone telephone and inquire about your claim at 1-866-500-0017. The inquiry option is available weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
      TTY callers should use 1-866-366-0004 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

      You can also visit one of the Problem Resolution Offices (PROs). Staff at these walk-in help centers provides answers to your questions or help to resolve problems with your claim. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday through Friday.

      PROs provide:

      Telephones and computers for the convenience of customers who may not have access to a computer or telephone to file their claim;
      In-person help for problems with claims;
      A presence in the community that includes, on request, presentations about unemployment insurance services to employer, business, labor, and community groups.

      • I made a mistake and waived some of my payments with unemployment, is there a way or form to try to get that money ?

        • Hi, there – your best option is to connect with someone in the Michigan unemployment office. They’ll have access to your account-specific information and will be in a better position to help you.

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