Common Filing and Certifying Mistakes and Helpful Tips

Start with these helpful tips:

Read all letters sent from the Agency, including your Monetary Determination – it contains information about your benefits and certification. Selecting go green means you will receive notice of your letters via e-mail. Make sure to watch your e-mail to stay informed about your claim.
When sending in documents for ID verification, make sure all information is visible, including the letter ID on the form.
Be sure to read the claimant handbook which covers information on claiming unemployment benefits in Michigan, including eligibility, benefit rights and responsibilities, receiving payments and more.
When certifying, don’t give out your MARVIN PIN to anyone – your PIN is your secret ID number, and you are responsible for any certification using your PIN.

Common Mistakes When Filing

When you initially file your claim for benefits, accurately report your dates of employment and separation reason for each employer listed that you have worked for in the last 18 months.
Some people are confused about the terms laid off, fired, leave of absence, and quit. It is important to provide the Agency with the precise reason for your separation so that we can best assist you and help you to avoid fraud.

Learn about specific separation reasons

Proofread your new claim application before submitting it. Be sure to verify that the name, address, phone number, birth date and Driver license/State ID number is correct.
When choosing direct deposit as the method to receive benefit payments, be sure to enter the correct routing and bank account number.
Be sure to provide accurate separation reason and separation date.
Include your employment history for the last 18 months. Include all employers, not just the most recent one.
- Note: Include all employers even if you do not recognize their business name. Refer to the employer’s name on your W-2 to make sure the correct employer’s name is listed on your claim. Without the correct employer’s name, your claim may be denied in error.

To qualify for benefits, you must be able, available, and willing to accept suitable work. Possible conflicts like attending school during work hours, limitations with childcare, being ill or hurt could limit your work availability and affect your eligibility for benefits.
If you are on a temporary layoff from a job, and you do not have a work search waiver, you must report that you are able and available to work.

To qualify for benefits you must register for work by creating a profile on MITalent.org and meet with staff from your local Michigan Works! service center, either virtually or in person.

Claimants must certify according to a Monday – Wednesday schedule based on their Social Security Number. If missed, make up days for the week are Thursdays and Fridays.

Learn how to certify

You must report your gross wages (the wages before taxes are taken out) for each week you work and certify for benefits, even if you do not receive the payment until later. You must report all earnings from any employer; including part-time or temporary work, severance pay, bonus pay, sick pay, holiday pay and vacation pay.

If you waive weeks (stop your claim for more than two weeks), you need to reopen your claim online before you certify again.

Steps to reopen your UI claim

You must look for work to receive unemployment benefits. You are required to provide the Agency information about at least one active work search you performed for each week that you are claiming benefits. You must provide the details of your work search during your certifications.