LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, the Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity announced that a COVID-19 emergency relief package has been signed into law, which will continue and expand federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs.
According to department officials, due to the timing of the legislation’s finalization, there will be a delay in certification and payment of benefits for those currently enrolled in the federal PUA and PEUC programs beginning Dec. 26. This will only be a disruption and claimants will be made whole once the extensions are fully implemented.
Existing PUA and PEUC claimants should ensure they complete any outstanding certifications through December 26. To do this, recipients should log in to their MiWAM account and click on the inactive PUA or PEUC claim. Outstanding certifications will appear under the “Alerts” tab should there be any to be completed.
Officials say that Michigan, like all states, must wait until guidance is issued by the U.S. Dept. of Labor before it can begin processing the benefits provided under the new legislation. This guidance will include new rules and instructions that will require updates to the state’s UI system.
Despite this, officials say residents should rest assured that Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is making program adjustments with what information is available, and will work to implement any remaining changes to get benefits out as soon as possible.
Claimants do not need to contact the UIA regarding these changes at this time.
Officials add that the extensions and expansions include the following:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Extends and phases out PUA, a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to March 14 (after which no new applicants) through April 5, 2021.
- Provides additional weeks for those who would otherwise exhaust benefits by extending PUA from 39 to 50 weeks— with all benefits ending April 5, 2021.
- New PUA program eligibility requirements: New and active claimants must provide documentation to substantiate employment (not just self-certification as is currently the case) starting at the end of January.
- Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC): Provides all unemployment recipients with an additional $300 per week from Dec. 27 through Mar. 13, 2021.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): Extends and phases out PEUC, which provides additional weeks when state unemployment runs out, to March 14 (after which no new applications) through April 5, 2021.
- Provides additional weeks for those who would otherwise exhaust benefits by increasing weeks available from 13 to 24—with all benefits ending April 5, 2021.
“This federal extension will bring much needed relief to nearly 700,000 Michigan workers who are currently receiving benefits under the PUA and PEUC programs,” acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency Liza Estlund Olson said in a statement. “The continuation of these benefits coupled with the additional $300 in weekly payments for all claimants will provide our workers with the emergency financial assistance to buy essential items like groceries and prescription drugs.”
The relief package also includes:
- Extension of 100% federal financing for the use of the WorkShare program
- Extension of Emergency Unemployment Relief for Governmental Entities and Nonprofit Organizations through Mar. 14
Visit the UIA website at Michigan.gov/uia for more information as it becomes available.
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