UNEMPLOYED MICHIGAN WORKERS CAN CLAIM
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THROUGHOUT THANKSGIVING WEEK
Contact:
Norm Isotalo 313-456-2939
Agency:
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
NOVEMBER 20, 2009 --- Although the state of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be closed for two days next week because of Thanksgiving, unemployed workers can still contact the agency's automated MARVIN system throughout the week to claim their eligibility for unemployment benefits.
"MARVIN (Michigan's Automated Response Voice Interactive Network) knows no holidays," UIA Director Stephen Geskey said. "So, while our offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, MARVIN will still be available by telephone or through the Internet all week, Monday through Saturday."
"MARVIN's continued availability throughout Thanksgiving week is especially important as we anticipate that 70,000 to 80,000 unemployed workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits will start contacting MARVIN next week to claim the newly authorized additional Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits," Geskey said.
Unemployed workers claiming benefits in Michigan must contact MARVIN by telephone or online once every two weeks to certify that they are unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits. After the MARVIN contact, their benefits are normally authorized and issued on the next business day.
However, during Thanksgiving week, Geskey said the agency will be using the schedule below for authorizing and posting unemployment benefit payments:
PAYMENT AUTHORIZED ON:
PAYMENT POSTED ON
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Friday, Nov. 27
Wed & Thurs, Nov. 25 & 26
Monday, Nov. 30
Friday, Nov. 27
Tuesday, Dec. 1
He said unemployed workers will see a one or two day delay in having their benefits either directly deposited into their bank accounts or loaded onto their debit card due to the Thanksgiving holiday, which Michigan state government and most financial institutions observe. Generally, unemployment benefits are received within three business days after an unemployed worker contacts MARVIN.
Individuals contact MARVIN at specific times according to a Monday through Wednesday schedule based on the last two digits of their Social Security numbers or anytime on Thursday or Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on most Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
MARVIN can be reached toll-free at 1-866-638-3993 or online at www.michigan.gov/uia.
Geskey noted that although agency call centers and Problem Resolution Offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, staff will be working on Friday and Saturday to process claims for the newly expanded federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
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