Unemployment Insurance Agency open on Saturdays during the month of March
Agency staff standing by online and by phone to help answer unemployment questions
Contact: Chawn Greene-Farmer (517) 373-9280
Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
March 16, 2012 - UIA is opening its phone lines and making its web-based agents available every Saturday for the rest of the month: March 17, March 24, and March 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers who have been unable to interact with the agency during its normal business hours can contact the agency and speak with a live customer service agent by phone or can communicate with an agent online. Currently, the agency is experiencing high call volumes due to recent changes in eligibility and reporting requirements for the federally-funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
"The agency recognizes the importance of being available to help answer all of the questions that customers have about this recent federal extension," said UIA Director Steve Arwood. "We are in close communication with the federal government about how this new extension will apply to those collecting benefits in Michigan and want to ensure that our customers have the information they need regarding their accounts."
Those currently receiving benefits should call the UIA Customer Service Line at 1-866-500-0017 or submit inquiries to the agency's Virtual Problem Resolution agents who will be fully staffed and available to assist customers weekdays and now on these Saturdays.
In addition to interacting with the customer service agents by phone or online, online claim web account users can take advantage of the self-service options that are available through the UIA website, www.michigan.gov/uia including: certifying with MARVIN Online, reviewing their benefits history, changing their benefit payment options or their CWAM password, resetting their MARVIN PIN, and more.
To register for an online claim web account, visit www.michigan.gov/uia and select "UIA Online Services for Unemployed Workers." Users will be taken to a login page where they can register and start the process of creating their own online account with the agency. UIA will instantly give new online users a temporary password, which is good for 10 days that will allow them to immediately certify through MARVIN online. A permanent password will be mailed to the individual that will give them full access to all of the web account features.
Customers can also call the MARVIN toll-free line at 1-866-638-3993 to certify or obtain information regarding the balance of their benefits weeks.
For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara
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