Michigan Unemployment

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Michigan’s unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial support for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Successful claimants must also meet Michigan's additional eligibility requirements.

UI benefits are intended to provide temporary relief to unemployed workers while they look for new jobs. This unemployment assistance helps lessen the negative impacts of lost wages on Michigan workers and their families and the state’s overall economy.

Michigan employers pay into the state’s UI benefits program, which is set aside within Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Unemployment benefits then are sourced from this fund as needed.

Michigan Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in Michigan

To be eligible for the UI benefits program, Michigan residents must meet each of the following criteria:

• Are unemployed through no fault of their own
• Have worked in Michigan during the past 12 months
• Have earned a minimum wage amount as determined by Michigan guidelines
• Actively are seeking employment during each week for which benefits are requested
• Are available and able to accept suitable work if and when it is offered

It’s important to note that a final determination can’t be confirmed until an initial claim is submitted and reviewed, so it’s important to submit your initial unemployment claim as soon as possible after you lose your job. If you aren’t positive you meet the criteria above, you should apply anyway so that you can find out for certain.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Michigan

The state of Michigan strongly encourages all claimants to submit their initial claims online, which is the easiest and most efficient way. You may apply online anytime, and you should expect to spend about 45 minutes for the entire process.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

For each week you’d like to collect UI benefits, you’ll be required to submit a weekly certification, which can be submitted online. This certification simply establishes that for the prior week, your job search activities rendered you eligible for a weekly benefit amount.

Be prepared to answer questions about the measures you took to look for employment and whether you remain able and available to work. Report any income you earned and job offers you received.

Filing an Appeal

If you disagree with a determination regarding your new claim, you can formally submit a protest and ask the state to review your unemployment claim again. Michigan allows both the claimant and the employer to submit a protest. You may do so through the online account you’ve already created earlier in the process.

To file an appeal, simply follow the steps below:

• Select the claim ID of the benefit year in question.
• Select Determination Status, and then click on File a Protest or File Appeal for the decision you’d like to protest.
• Fill in all required fields and use the "Add" feature to upload any supporting documentation or evidence you’d like to include with your formal protest

Once your protest is received, you will receive information about an appeals hearing. You must participate in this hearing in order to potentially change the outcome regarding your unemployment insurance claim.

If you need support, you can request Advocacy Assistance through your existing online account or by calling 800-638-3994 and selecting option 2 from the automated menu.

Reporting Fraud

Unemployment fraud, including identity theft, is a serious criminal offense that weakens the integrity of Michigan’s UI benefits program. Fraudulent claims can keep jobless benefits out of the hands of those who need them the most. If you suspect someone of abusing Michigan’s unemployment insurance program, you can report fraud online or call the UIA Customer Service Hotline at 866-500-0017.

Michigan Unemployment Office Locations