How to Certify for Benefits

After you file for benefits, you must certify whether you are still unemployed.

First, you will receive your Monetary Determination letter (Form UIA 1575C), which includes information such as your:

Your weekly benefit amount.
The number of weeks you’re allowed to receive benefits.
When you should begin certifying your job searches.

Then, you can certify online using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), which is the easiest and fastest way, or by phone using the Michigan Automated Voice Interactive Network (MARVIN).

Note: You may work part time and collect a partial unemployment benefit payment. Be sure to report the total gross earnings for work you performed in the week you are claiming. The total gross earnings are earnings before any deductions (taxes and withholdings).

How to Certify (Report) for Benefits Infographic

Certify Online (quickest method)
Certify by Phone

Certify Online, Through MiWAM

You can certify online through MiWAM any day during your certification week.

Note: Every time you certify, you will be asked to provide names, addresses, and phone numbers for employers you contacted when searching for work. It is recommended to certify online through MiWAM for a faster certification process.

To certify online:

On your MiWAM Unemployment Insurance Claim homepage, under Account Alerts click: “You have benefits weeks that have not been certified – click here to Certify”
Review the provided questions.

Benefit payments will be issued in 2-3 business days. If you do not receive your payment in 2-3 business days, log into your MiWAM account to check the status of your payment and for correspondence from the Agency regarding next steps.

Certify by Phone

Certifying online through your MiWAM account is the easiest and quickest method to enter detailed information about employers you contacted for work.

However, if you choose to certify by phone, you can call on your designated day and time at 1-866-638-3993 Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Claimants who certify by phone with MARVIN must call on the scheduled day and time that corresponds with the last two digits of their Social Security number (SSN). MARVIN can be reached at 1-866-638-3993 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Call in Schedule for Certifying by Phone

Call on your designated day and time and Certify according to your social security number.

Last two digits of SSN	Day of the week	Eastern Standard Time
00-15	Monday	8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
16-33	Monday	12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
34-48	Tuesday	8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
49-66	Tuesday	12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
67-81	Wednesday	8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
82-99	Wednesday	12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday and Friday if you missed your days		8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

To report your work search activity, stay on the line after you answer the automated questions to speak with an agent.

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How Do I...

How to Certify for Benefits

After you file for benefits, you must certify whether you are still unemployed.

Certify Online, Through MiWAM

Certify by Phone

Call in Schedule for Certifying by Phone