Federally-funded Unemployment Benefits Reduced Due to State's Decreased Unemployment Rate; Changes in Benefit Entitlements for EUC Program
March 25, 2013 - The U.S. Department of Labor recently notified the State of Michigan that Tier 4 of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program will end as Michigan's jobless numbers are below the level required by federal law to continue Tier 4 of the program.
As a result, week ending April 13, 2013, will be the last week in which Michigan EUC claimants can exhaust Tier 3 benefits and still establish a Tier 4 claim. Under the new provisions, claimants currently receiving EUC Tier 4 benefits can continue to receive any remaining entitlement they have in Tier 4 until it is exhausted through December 28, 2013, provided they are otherwise eligible. Those who exhaust their Tier 3 EUC benefits after April 13, 2013, will be unable to collect any Tier 4 benefits.
The UIA is in the process of notifying claimants affected by this change. Additionally, the UIA continues to partner with Michigan Works! Service Centers to offer valuable re-employment, training and educational opportunities and to provide resource information to claimants regarding other available state resource programs including training and educational opportunities, as well as other supportive services that may be available.
For additional information regarding the EUC program, claimants may contact the UIA in the following ways:
- Visit the UIA website at www.michigan.gov/uia to review EUC program updates or to submit an inquiry to the Agency's Virtual Problem Resolution (ViPR) agents who are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Call the UIA Emergency Unemployment Compensation hotline, 1-800-638-3995 for pre-recorded updates to EUC program information.
- Call the UIA Customer Service Line at 1-866-500-0017. Customer Service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Visit a UIA Problem Resolution Office (PRO) for in-person assistance. There are 15 PROs statewide. Visit the UIA website at www.michigan.gov/uia for a list of locations and hours of operation.
Due to potentially high call volumes, and wait times in offices, the Agency recommends customers interact with its ViPR agents through an online claim web account. To register for an online claim web account, visit www.michigan.gov/uia and select "UIA Online Services for Unemployed Workers."
Those who have exhausted unemployment benefits can find additional resources for health care, family support, housing, and more, by visiting http://www.michigan.gov/helpinghand.Unemployed workers should also visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at http:www.mitalent.org to obtain information regarding job and training opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Expiration of
Tier 4 of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Benefits
As a result of federal law, Michigan is no longer eligible for Emergency Unemployment compensation (EUC) Tier 4 benefits after week ending April 20, 2013.
What is EUC?
During periods of high unemployment in a state, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) may become available to workers who have exhausted their regular state unemployment benefits. The EUC program is funded by the federal government.
On January 1, 2013, Congress passed legislation which extends Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) through the end of 2013. The program will end on January 1, 2014.
What does this mean for Claimants?
If you are currently receiving EUC Tier 4 benefits, you will continue receiving the balance of your Tier 4 benefits.
If you finish receiving EUC tier 3 benefits on or before April 13, 2013, you may be eligible to receive Tier 4 benefits.
If you finish collecting EUC Tier 3 benefits after April 13, 2013, your EUC benefits will end with Tier 3 and you will not be eligible for any further EUC benefits.
What criterion is used to qualify states for the EUC program?
The federal government established unemployment rate thresholds that the states must meet in order to remain eligible for the EUC program. Michigan's three month average total unemployment rate (TUR) must remain at 9 percent or above to be eligible to provide all four tiers of the EUC program. For Tier 3, the TUR must remain at 7 percent or above; for Tier 2 the TUR must remain at 6 percent or above. Tier 1 does not have a TUR threshold.
When is the last week payable for EUC benefits?
The last week payable for the EUC program will be week ending Dec. 28, 2013, regardless of any remaining weeks left on any EUC claim.
How many claimants are currently receiving unemployment benefits through Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency?
As of March, 2013, about 205,506 claimants are receiving benefits in Michigan. This includes individuals receiving regular state unemployment benefits and Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Of that number 74,761 claimants are collecting EUC benefits.
Are there additional requirements for claimants entering EUC?
Yes. Individuals who are entering Tier 1 of the EUC program are required to report in-person to a local Michigan Works! Office for reemployment services. Additionally, EUC claimants must continue to submit documentation of their work searches to the UIA prior to biweekly certification through MARVIN or MARVIN Online. Individuals are required to report the details and results of their work search on Form UIA 1583 Monthly Record of Work Search.
How can a claimant determine how many weeks of benefits he/she will receive?
Claimants can access this information online through their Claimant Web Account or call MARVIN (Michigan Automated Response Voice Interactive Network) at 1-866-638-3993 and select Option 2.
How is EUC funded?
The federal government funds the EUC program. Michigan employers are not charged for any EUC benefits paid to claimants.
What should claimants do if they will soon exhaust their EUC benefits?
Unemployed workers with online web accounts with the UIA can check their "Benefit Payment History" for information about their remaining weeks of benefits. Workers who have not established online accounts can call MARVIN at 1-866-638-3993 and press option 2. Additional information about the end of EUC will be posted on the UIA website (www.michigan.gov/uia). In addition, the Agency has established a toll-free telephone number 1-866-MI-HELPS (1-888-644-3577) for people to call for pre-recorded information about the extension program and their remaining benefits. Individuals can visit http://www.mitalent.org for job and training information.
How can claimants find out more about EUC?
We strongly encourage claimants to stay informed on the status of the EUC program by:
- calling the EUC hotline at 1-800-638-3995 for pre-recorded updates about the EUC program
- via the UIA website at michigan.gov/uia; click the red EUC Extension button
- Visit the UIA website at www.michigan.gov/uia to review EUC program updates or to submit an inquiry to the Agency's Virtual Problem Resolution (ViPR) agents who are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Call the UIA Customer Service Line at 1-866-500-0017. Customer Service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Visit a UIA Problem Resolution Office (PRO) for in-person assistance. There are 15 PROs statewide. Visit the UIA website at www.michigan.gov/uia for a list of locations.
