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.