Should you need to help direct your employees on claiming unemployment due to layoffs as a result of the coronavirus, according to the Office of Employer Ombudsman (OEO), direct your employees to www.michigan.gov/uia. Once on the web page, refer to “Fact Sheet 160 – Claiming Unemployment Benefits in Michigan.”
File Online for Faster Service
Due to increased call volumes, for faster service, employees should file the unemployment claim online through the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). Filing online is easy, convenient, and is available 24 hours a day. Click on MiWAM for Workers to begin the claim. View the MiWAM Toolkit for Claimants for step-by-step instructions on how to create an account.
For information on filing a claim online, again refer to the Fact Sheet 160 – Claiming Unemployment Benefits in Michigan.This fact sheet will inform employees of the information needed to file a claim. The claim needs to be filed in the first week of the layoff.
Under normal circumstances, employees need to actively seek work while receiving benefits. However, this requirement has been waived for 120 days per Governor Whitmer for claims due to layoff as a result of COVID-19.
The maximum allowable weekly benefit in Michigan is $362. This amount is based on the employee’s wages earned in the past four quarters.
This is the information known at this time. If your industry was not listed specifically in the Governor’s mandate, it has not been verified whether your employer rate will be affected. We are continually monitoring news on the federal and state levels and will update you as additional information is made known. If you have questions, please contact your Yeo & Yeo professional.