Completing Your Work Search

Claimants receiving unemployment benefits are required to actively search for work and report at least one work search activity for each week they claim benefits. 

Make sure you understand your responsibilities when it comes to conducting and documenting your work search to avoid mistakes which could result in you not receiving benefits or having to repay the benefits you receive.

• You must actively search for work while you are claiming benefits
• You must conduct at least one work search activity each week
• You must report your work search activities at the time you certify for benefits. Your certification will not be complete, and benefits will not be paid until your work search activities have been reported to the UIA.

Work search activities include, but are not limited to:

• Applying for jobs in person or online.
• Attending job fairs.
• Creating a profile or resume on a professional networking or job site such as MiTalent.org.
• Participate in online job search workshops or seminars.

When reporting your work search, you will need to give us specific details such as:

• Date of Contact - The date of your work search activity must fall within the week ending date (Sunday through Saturday) for each week.
• Activity - Enter the work search activity for the week you are claiming benefits. One is required, but additional can be entered. Allowable work search activities may include submitting applications, contacting employers, checking resources at employment offices, checking job listings at Michigan Works, attending job fairs or employment workshops.
• Name of Employer/Organization/Search Engine - Write the name, if known, or the online job search site, or employment service or agency that was contacted. If the search was done online and the employer was not specified, enter the name of the search engine, employment service or employment Enter the Michigan Works agency that you used for your work search activity.
• Employer Address/Online Location - Enter the location where work was sought, physical address or online website address. If the contact was made by telephone or fax, enter the phone number.
• Method of Contact - Enter how contact was made (e.g., Online, email, in person, phone, mail, fax).

Keep a written record of your weekly Work Search Activities.

• UIA can request to verify your work search activities at any point during your claim. If your activities are found to be incomplete or inaccurate, you may be ineligible and have to pay back benefits.
• Save all confirmation emails or documentation to prove your work search activity.

 Click here for a list of valid Work Search Activities

Registering for work with Michigan Works and reporting your work search activities will be required for most claimants receiving unemployment benefits. In certain circumstances you may apply for an RSW (Registering and Seeking Work Waiver) during the application for benefits process,  If approved, the requirements are waived, and you are not required to register or search for work.

Available Work Search Waivers

Temporary Layoff – Registration and Seeking Work Waiver

If you are expected to return to full-time work with your employer within 45 days from the date you filed or reopened your claim, your employer can request that you be waived from the work search requirements.  The employer is required to request this waiver before laying off workers and will provide you with the official last date worked and return to work date to be recorded on your application for benefits.  If your employer has requested and been approved for a 45-day waiver, your Monetary Determination will state that you have been waived from the registration and work search requirement.

Temporary Layoff – Short-Term Waiver

If you are laid off and expect to return to work within 15 days of your layoff date, you can apply for a work search waiver at the time you file your claim.  When you supply your employer information on your application for benefits, enter the return-to-work date your employer has given you.  If approved, your Monetary Determination will state that you have been waived from the Registration and Work Search requirement for a specified period.  If you do not return to work within the 15 days, you must register with Michigan Works, and begin the work search requirement. 

Training Waiver

If you are in school, attending an approved course of study, you may qualify for a training waiver which also waives the work search requirements.  To apply for a training waiver, you must contact a Michigan Works! Office.  Michigan Works will assist you with the application submission to UIA.  If approved, the work search requirements will be waived. 

Job Attached Waiver

The Job Attached Waiver (JAW) is granted if the reason for separation is due to a lack of work and the claimant has either a return-to-work date within 120 days or they are required to seek work exclusively through a union hiring hall. This only waives the registration requirement.  The claimant must still seek work and submit job searches.