How does michigan unemployment work

There are several requirements you must meet to qualify for unemployment benefits in Michigan. Because Michigan unemployment compensation is meant to be temporary relief after a job loss, you must meet the following qualifications:.

If you meet these requirements, you have a right to file for Michigan unemployment benefits. While you are likely to collect unemployment payments, it is possible to be rejected based on special employment circumstances such as the type of job you previously had or if an employer chooses to contest your application which may occur if they say you chose to leave instead of being laid off or terminated.

In most cases, the UIA considers Michigan unemployment claims to fall into three categories: 1 quitting, 2 fired, or 3 laid off. Choosing to quit your job—that is, leaving voluntarily—may disqualify you from receiving benefits. Leaving because you simply did not like the workplace will cause your application to be rejected. But quitting your job because of reasons out of your control—such as health problems or something your employer did—may allow you to still receive benefits.

If you were fired, the UIA will determine if you still qualify for benefits. If you lost your job because of misconduct at work such as violating workplace rules or failing to show up regularly , you may not qualify for unemployment compensation.

Being fired does not automatically disqualify you—you can still receive unemployment payments if you were fired for having poor job performance. In situations where a labor dispute or layoff led to your termination, you will likely qualify for benefits. Even if you meet all the requirements for unemployment benefits in Michigan, your application may be rejected based on your individual work situation.

If you were self-employed, worked for a family business, or held a political office, there are additional criteria that you must meet. Unemployment benefits vary from person to person and are based on your previous wages and the number of weeks you are allowed to receive benefits. While the UIA will contact you by mail to explain how much you will receive and for how long, you can estimate your weekly unemployment benefits by using this formula:.

Unemployment benefits are paid out weekly. Hours are Monday through Saturday between a. Michigan allows residents to collect unemployment benefits for a maximum of 20 weeks per benefit year, regardless of wheter you find a job, stop benefits, and need to reapply later on in the year. This means there must be at least 52 weeks between Michigan unemployment claim filings to receive full benefits.

For example:. In most cases, it is not possible to receive a Michigan unemployment extension. Previously, the state has only allowed extensions in times where economic downturn has created high Michigan unemployment rates. In some cases, you can accept part-time work and still receive unemployment benefits, though you should know that your weekly benefit will be reduced based on the amount of money you are earning. Failing to do so could lead to you losing your benefits.

If you find that your benefit application was denied, or there was some issue with your claim, the UIA will contact you about the issue and with information on how to proceed.

Michigan unemployment laws will allow you to file an appeal. If you need more information on doing so, you can visit the Michigan unemployment website for further details. We are a private company. You typically must work directly with the government to qualify for your program or benefits.

This website and its contents are for informational purposes only. We do not claim responsibility for its accuracy. Programs Medicare Basics. How does Medicare Work? Medicare Plans. Medicare News. Additional Medicare Coverage. Eligibility Team. April 03, Your Guide to Unemployment Benefits in Michigan. How do I apply for unemployment benefits in Michigan?

This online portal will allow you to complete the application and submit all necessary proof. It takes about 45 minutes. Applying for unemployment by phone: You can also file for unemployment benefits through the Michigan unemployment number by calling between a. Your alien registration number and the expiration date of your work authorization if you are not a U. It is best to apply in your first week of unemployment, but you should register with Michigan Works! After you apply for unemployment, the UIA will decide if you are eligible and if you qualify for benefits.

You will get a separate notice if there is a qualification or eligibility problem with your claim. You must be qualified to start getting benefits. It should take about five days after filing a claim to get your determination. It might take longer if the UIA has questions about your claim. If the UIA has questions about your claim, you may receive a questionnaire that you will need to complete and send back to the UIA within 10 days of the date on the questionnaire.

If you do not send it back within 10 days, you may be denied benefits. Probably not. Unemployment benefits are for those who are involuntarily unemployed through no fault of their own. You can only get unemployment benefits if you are able to work, available for work and seeking full time work. If you chose to quit your job you may not get benefits. You might get benefits if your employer gave you a good reason to quit. Some examples of good reasons to quit may be:.

You experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace and your employer failed to fix the problem;. You showed bad judgment or negligence unless it is constant or your job has great responsibility over life or property ;. The minimum wage requirements are based on your wages in your standard base period. To meet minimum wage requirements you must have:. Total wages for all four quarters must be at least 1. An official document that shows both your social security number and your name, such as your Social Security card, or a tax or employment document.

Keep proof that you registered for work in case the UIA loses the records. If you were laid off, you should find out if you are eligible when you file. If you quit or were fired it usually takes three to four weeks to find out. If you are on strike it will usually take four to six weeks. The UIA calculates your weekly benefit amount by multiplying the wages paid in your highest base period quarter by 4. Your standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your unemployment claim.

There are four calendar quarters in a year:. For example: if you file your claim in July , the four quarters in your standard base period are:. This is the four quarters right before you file for unemployment.

So, if you file your claim in July , the four quarters in the alternative base period are:. Fraud is intentional misrepresentation. If you get a determination that says you have intentionally misrepresented information to the UIA, it may include information about money you have to repay.

If you are found to have committed fraud, you may have to repay four times as much you got in unemployment benefits. If you disagree with the determination, you can protest the determination. The UIA must receive your protest within 30 days of when it mailed or sent the determination. The UIA defines your benefit year as the 52 consecutive weeks that start when you file an unemployment claim if you qualify for unemployment.

The benefit year starts the Sunday of the week you file. It ends the Saturday one year later. Your benefits year is also ended if your benefits are cancelled. In times of very high unemployment, federal and state programs may make additional weeks of benefits available. You may file your claim for unemployment benefits in Michigan by phone or online. You can find contact information and online filing information at the website of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Once the UIA receives your application, it will send you a packet of documents, including a monetary determination that provides your potential weekly benefit amount. If your unemployment claim is denied, you have 30 days to file a protest with the UIA. The UIA will then issue a redetermination. If you aren't satisfied with the redetermination, you can file an appeal with the UIA, asking for a hearing before an administrative law judge ALJ of the Michigan Administrative Hearing System.

A hearing will be held on your appeal, at which you may testify, present witnesses, and offer evidence before the ALJ makes a decision. For further details, contact the UIA. If you aren't satisfied with the results of the second appeal, you may file a lawsuit in state court. For more information on the unemployment process, including current eligibility requirements and benefits amounts, visit the website of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

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Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Michigan. Learn the rules for unemployment eligibility, benefit amounts, and more in Michigan.

Are You Eligible for Unemployment in Michigan? You must meet the following three eligibility requirements to collect unemployment benefits in Michigan: You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Michigan law. You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed.

You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.