How do I file for unemployment benefits in Michigan?

Q: How do I file for unemployment benefits in Michigan?

Michigan unemployment is administered by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) under Mich. Comp. Laws § 421.1 et seq. 1. How and When to File - File online at michigan.gov/uia through the MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager) portal. - File during your first week of unemployment . - The waiting week was eliminated in 2020. 2. Weekly Benefit Amount - Range: $150 to $362 per week for an individual. - Plus $6 per dependent (up to 5 dependents = $30 additional). - Calculated as 4.1% of high-quarter wages . - Maximum 26 weeks (reduced from 20 in 2024 — Michigan reverted to 26 after legislation in 2024). 3. Eligibility Requirements (MCL § 421.46) - Wages in at least two quarters of the base period. - Base-period wages of at least 1.5× the high-quarter wages (or 20× the state minimum). - Lost work through no fault of your own — not fired for misconduct (§ 421.29) or voluntary quit without good cause attributable to the employer. - Be able to work, available, and seeking work . 4. Work Search Requirement - Must make at least 1 work search activity per week and report it on biweekly certifications. - Must register on Pure Michigan Talent Connect within 14 days. 5. Certifying for Benefits - Certify every 2 weeks through MiWAM or MARVIN (phone). - Earnings up to 1.5× your WBA may be partially offset. 6. Appeals - Request a redetermination within 30 days . - Further appeal to the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

Michigan unemployment is administered by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) under Mich. Comp. Laws § 421.1 et seq.

1. How and When to File

File online at michigan.gov/uia through the MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager) portal.

File during your first week of unemployment.

The waiting week was eliminated in 2020.

2. Weekly Benefit Amount

Range: $150 to $362 per week for an individual.

Plus $6 per dependent (up to 5 dependents = $30 additional).

Calculated as 4.1% of high-quarter wages.

Maximum 26 weeks (reduced from 20 in 2024 — Michigan reverted to 26 after legislation in 2024).

3. Eligibility Requirements (MCL § 421.46)

Wages in at least two quarters of the base period.

Base-period wages of at least 1.5× the high-quarter wages (or 20× the state minimum).

Lost work through no fault of your own — not fired for misconduct (§ 421.29) or voluntary quit without good cause attributable to the employer.

Be able to work, available, and seeking work.

4. Work Search Requirement

Must make at least 1 work search activity per week and report it on biweekly certifications.

Must register on Pure Michigan Talent Connect within 14 days.

5. Certifying for Benefits

Certify every 2 weeks through MiWAM or MARVIN (phone).

Earnings up to 1.5× your WBA may be partially offset.

6. Appeals

Request a redetermination within 30 days.

Further appeal to the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules.

This is legal information, not legal advice.