Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers handle the initial interview of unemployed workers to determine their eligibility for unemployment compensation. When clients are eligible, Claims Workers process and pay unemployment compensation claims as specified by state and federal laws. If clients are not eligible, Claims Workers explain the denial and inform the claimants of protest rights and procedures.  

JOB DUTIES

Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers may:

Interview unemployed individuals in the office to determine eligibility for initial or continued unemployment insurance benefits  

Determine that a claim be reviewed by a claims examiner  

Compute the weekly benefit rate, using a chart with established formulas  

Inform claimants of their rights and obligations under state and federal law  

Audit and review claims to verify that claimants' payments are made according to entitlement  

Ask, record and certify that the claimant meets all requirements for obtaining benefits  

Calculate restitution, if the claimant has been paid in excess of the benefit entitlement  

Maintain records and prepare reports  

Tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers may specialize in these areas:

169.367-010 UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS CLAIMS WORKERS handle the initial interview of unemployed workers to determine their eligibility for unemployment compensation. When clients are eligible, Claims Workers process and pay unemployment compensation claims as specified by state and federal laws. If clients are not eligible, Claims Workers explain the denial and inform the claimants of protest rights and procedures.  

169.267-010 CLAIMS ADJUDICATORS, also known as unemployment claims examiners (personnel experienced in unemployment and compensation laws, procedures, and policies), do not process initial claims. They conduct investigative interviews with claimants and employers after which they adjudicate contested claims by written determination.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:   

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Claims Workers work independently but under general supervision of a lead worker or supervisor. Those who work at the counter processing claims must stand for long periods of time. Some may work behind a plexiglass shield in large metropolitan area offices. Other Claims Workers may work at desks.  

Claims Workers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week schedule. They might have to work overtime during high unemployment periods, holidays, or emergencies. They might be required to travel to a training site when new procedures are established.  

They might belong to unions and be required to pay periodic dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities that communicate ideas or information to others  

• Activities involving business contact with people  

• Activities that involve direct personal contact with people  

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason clearly and logically  

• See detail/errors in numbers/spelling/punctuation in written  

materials  

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions  

• Repeat activities according to a required routine/procedure/sequence  

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often  

• Perform arithmetic computations quickly and accurately  

• Maintain records and prepare reports  

• Maintain good public relations  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

An eligible recipient gets $60 a week for each member of the family. How much money would a couple get per week if they had two children.  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

This program provides income protection should a person become ill or injured off the job and be unable to work. Up to 70% (maximum or $500.00) of an individual's weekly average income would be paid for a period of up to 13 weeks.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining why a certain person was not eligible for assistance.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a certain individual's records and then decide if they are eligible for assistance.  

For entry level positions, an individual needs information on interviewing techniques as well as office work and business practices. Two years of clerical office experience involving public contact, such as working as a receptionist, cashier, interviewer, or complaint taker is also required. In addition, individuals must take and pass a civil service examination for employment in Michigan  . Although a score of 70% is considered passing, only those with much higher scores are usually hired because of the competition for the few openings. 

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

                Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Students can develop clerical and interviewing skills by obtaining part time or summer employment in private industry and/or governmental agencies.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Unemployment Benefits Claim Worker employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Unemployment Benefits Claim Worker employer  

community service work with an agency  

Direct application to state civil service offices, including taking and passing an examination, is the usual method of entry. Local Michigan Works! offices or school placement offices may have information on job openings. 

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers vary according to the employer, the worker's qualifications, experience, and the level of responsibility.  

Annual earnings of Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers, supervisors, and related personnel employed by the State of Michigan in mid 1999 were:  

Workers who meet the years of service requirement also receive annual longevity bonuses.  

Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers may receive life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; paid vacations and holidays; paid sick leave; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. Some also receive dental and optical insurance.  

Advancement to higher level positions depends on such factors as experience, education, and ability to supervise, as well as earning a passing score on civil service examinations. A Claims Worker could advance to a lead worker, then to unemployment claims examiner and then to departmental supervisor. 

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, about 14,900 Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers were employed in 1996. Employment of Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers is expected to decline through the year 2006. Demand for workers has been affected by budget cuts in government programs, a drop in the national unemployment rate, and increased automation.  

There were about 450 Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers employed in Michigan in 1999. All of them were employed in State government with the Michigan Unemployment Agency.  

Employment of Claims Workers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005. Less than 10 openings are expected annually due to the replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons. Some additional openings may occur as workers change jobs or occupations.  

Opportunities for Unemployment Benefits Claims Workers are highly dependent on the economy in Michigan and the number of unemployment insurance claims. Demand for automotive products determines how many laid-off workers are recalled to their factory jobs. During these periods of economic recovery, fewer claims are made and fewer workers who process claims are needed. Also, the unemployment insurance system in Michigan has been automated. During the year 2001, the Unemployment Agencies in Michigan will begin to process claims for unemployment benefits at three remote claims centers. Claimants will be able to apply for benefits via the Internet or by telephone without going in person to a local branch office. This should reduce the amount of paperwork and, as a result, the number of Workers needed.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

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   MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development