Unemployed workers can claim benefits even though UIA offices are closed on Election Day and Veterans Day

November 3, 2015 - The State of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be closed on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8 and on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, but unemployed workers can still contact the agency’s automated systems to report their eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Unemployed workers claiming benefits in Michigan must report once every two weeks that they are unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements for benefits, either online through the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) or by phone through the Michigan Automated Response Voice Interactive Network (MARVIN).

Unemployed workers certifying online through the MiWAM may do so 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday of their reporting week.

Individuals who contact MARVIN by phone must do so during specific times, according to a Monday through Wednesday schedule based on the last two digits of their Social Security numbers, or anytime on Thursday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. MARVIN can be reached toll-free at 1-866-638-3993.

Bi-weekly certification is just one of many services available to users through their MiWAM account. With an online account, claimants can access account information, review payment history, submit questions for response by email from a customer service representative and more.  Claimants may log in or sign up for an online account at michigan.gov/uia. Click on “Michigan Web Account Manager for Claimants and Employers.”

Because of the upcoming office closings, there may be a one or two-day delay before the benefits are either directly deposited into the bank accounts or loaded onto the debit cards of unemployed workers. The Veterans Day holiday is observed by Michigan state government and most financial institutions.