Unemployment Insurance in Michigan under the new Framework

NOTE:   After the legislation is enacted into law, it is always best for individuals to receive information on their specific case from the state agency responsible for administering the unemployment insurance program.

The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is based on the number of weeks of state benefits that an individual receives.  Since Michigan’s cut from 26 to 20 weeks went into effect in January, individuals will receive different levels of federal funding going forward.

I am calling on the Governor and State Republican leaders to immediately change the state law and retroactively restore the 6 weeks of state benefits.  A failure to do so will result in Michigan giving up between 11 and 14 weeks of 100% federally funded benefits this year and means that Michigan’s unemployed workers will lose access to more federal weeks than any state in the nation.  

My office has confirmed with the U.S. Department of Labor that should Michigan act to change their state law, the federal weeks would be restored going forward for those individuals who receive 26 weeks.

EUC (Tiers 1 through 4)

Weeks of Unemployment Insurance Available to Michigan Workers under Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act

                                            March thru May                    June thru August              Sept thru December

Individual Receiving
20 weeks
Of State Benefits                      69 Weeks                                62 weeks                   56 weeks

Individual Receiving
26 weeks
Of State Benefits                      89 weeks                                 79 weeks                    73 weeks

So, for example, if you started the state program last year and receive the full 26 weeks, you are eligible for the larger number of federal weeks.  But, if you started the state program after the cut in state benefits, your subsequent federal weeks will be reduced as described above as you become eligible for EUC.  Again, once the federal law is enacted, it is best to receive specific information on your situation from the state agency.

The legislation retains the three-year look back for the Extended Benefit (EB) program.  Because of this, Michigan will continue to trigger off this program as of the week of February 18th.  The legislation does add 10 weeks between March and May to the 4th tier of EUC for individuals currently in or eligible for EUC.

We will continue to provide updates as we have them.

(Updated February, 17, 2012)