OCTOBER 27, 2008 - Unemployed workers who are looking for a fast and easy way to apply for unemployment benefits need only turn on their computer and visit Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) website.
"We have been handling a large volume of claims for unemployment benefits in recent months because of the state's high level of unemployment and the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program," UIA Director Stephen Geskey said.
Through September of this year, UIA has taken nearly 720,000 initial claims for state unemployment benefits for a monthly average of 80,000, compared to 637,000 initial claims and a monthly average of 70,800 for the January through September 2007 period.
Consequently, as the agency approaches one of its busy periods for unemployment claims, late December and early January, the agency is encouraging unemployed workers to file their claims online through the UIA website at www.michigan.gov/uia.
"In addition to being fast and easy to do, filing an unemployment claim online offers a number of other advantages," Geskey pointed out.
- Individuals can file their unemployment claims anytime between 7:00 a.m. Monday through 7:00 p.m. Saturday. The system is available virtually 24/6.
- There is no waiting when filing online.
- Filing online is more accurate as individuals can review all their responses to ensure their accuracy before submitting their application.
- If issues arise with the individual's claim, most follow-up questions can be immediately answered online. If the claim is filed by phone, UIA will mail questions to the individual, who will then have to fax or mail the answers back to the agency further delaying the eligibility decision.
"Filing online is a faster way to go," he said, "and it's more convenient. People can file through their home computers if they have Internet access, or they can go to their local public library or Michigan Works! office and use their public computers to file their unemployment claims."
Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.
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