Increased unemployment benefits and added weeks go into effect April 2

Change to Michigan law also boosts amount for each dependent

Significant changes in Michigan’s unemployment insurance law go into effect on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The law increases the maximum benefit amount by $84 a week, extends the maximum weeks benefits can be collected to 26, and more than doubles the amount per dependent.

The weekly unemployment benefits boost is the first for Michigan workers since the maximum amount was increased to $362 a week in 2002.

“Expanding unemployment benefits isn’t just about supporting workers in tough times — it’s about building a stronger, more resilient economy where every Michigander has the stability to recover, grow and thrive," said Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin. "Increasing these benefits is a step in the right direction to help those navigating a sudden job loss to get back on their feet and to have financial support as they seek new employment.”

“The increases in benefits and weeks will put extra money into the pockets of thousands of Michiganders at a time when they need it the most. They spend that additional money at local businesses in communities across Michigan,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). “Unemployment benefits stabilize household budgets and provide a safety net for families while workers search for a new job.”

For new claims filed on April 2 or later, the law increases:

• The maximum weeks of benefits from the current 20 to 26. (The minimum number of weeks a worker can be eligible for benefits will still be 14.)
• The maximum weekly benefit from the current $362 to $446 this year, $530 in 2026, and $614 in 2027.
• The amount for each dependent (up to a maximum of five) from the current $6 each to $12.66 each this year, $19.33 each in 2026, and $26 each in 2027.
• Beginning in 2028, the state Treasurer will set the weekly benefit and dependent amounts, based on the national Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the changes to unemployment law in December, but the Legislature did not give immediate effect to the legislation, meaning the earliest the changes could be implemented is April 2.

The legislation did, however, specify Jan. 1, 2025, as the effective date for Michiganders to receive the higher benefit and dependent amounts. UIA will review active claims filed between Jan. 1 and April 2 and make retroactive determinations on claims to see which ones qualify for higher benefit and dependent amounts. If a claim qualifies for increased benefits, UIA will pay the difference to the claimant.

There will be no retroactive change to benefit weeks, since the new 26-week maximum applies only to new claims filed on April 2 or later.

On a small number of claims where a review has determined an overpayment, UIA will waive payments by claimants.

Claimants should watch their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account for updates and be sure bank account information and/or addresses are up to date. If UIA sends a request for information, respond by the stated deadline and use only official forms from UIA to facilitate timely actions on a claim.

More information about the new law can be found at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Creating solutions for Michigan’s workers

Michiganders filing for unemployment benefits should be sure to access several innovative resources provided by UIA that will ease the claim filing process. Among those tools are:

• The UIA Claimant Roadmap: A six-step guide to applying for and understanding benefits. The roadmap is an easy-to-follow, user-friendly resource that can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• Online Coaching Sessions: Web-based group sessions led by UIA staff on topics such as filing a first-time claim, understanding a Monetary Determination letter, the protest and appeals process, and seeking work and registration requirements. The First-time Filer session is also available in Spanish. Sign up for a session at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Guidance for federal workers: A comprehensive website of resources for federal employees who have recently been terminated from their jobs. Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp provides guidance for filing for unemployment benefits, searching for a new job, or accessing community aid programs.
• More scheduling options: An expanded 14-day window to schedule in-person, phone, or virtual appointment times at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Renovations at UIA Local Offices: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, and Sterling Heights have been upgraded to create an improved user experience and increase security.
• Free legal help: The addition of six more advocates to the Advocacy Program to help more workers and employers with appeals of UIA redeterminations.

Modernizing, transforming the UIA

The tools for claimants are part of a broad transformation of UIA into a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service. Other changes include: 

• The UIA Economic Dashboard, a deep dive into underlying trends in unemployment insurance in Michigan. Data provides a rich understanding of the impacts of unemployment across industries, occupations, and communities, and provides insights into which sectors are experiencing layoffs, claimant demographics, and the regions most affected. Access the dashboard at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.
• The UIA Modernization Workgroup, a coalition of thought leaders from the labor, business, and jobless advocate communities who provide insight on how the agency can better serve Michigan’s workers and employers.
• The Employer Help Center, a plain language guide answers employers’ questions on unemployment tax and claim issues and UIA programs. The innovative Help Center can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter.
• A redesigned Michigan.gov/UIA website to be optimized for reading on mobile phones or tablets. The website offers answers to frequently asked questions, resources and toolkits. You can also browse UIA’s library of helpful instructional videos on YouTube.
• A Legal and Compliance Bureau to leverage collaborative anti-fraud practices to pursue bad actors who steal taxpayer money.
• Extension through June 2025 for nearly 80 limited-term employees in the Fraud and Investigations Division.
• New ethics and security clearance policies for employees and contractors.
• Partnerships with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to stop fraud. Since March 2020, 166 criminals have been charged with unemployment fraud, 125 convicted, and 107 sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution.
• Perfect scores for the five years in a row from the USDOL for employer audits in 2019-23, meeting the reasonable assurance of quality benchmark.
• A robust UI Trust Fund that totals more than $2.8 billion (and growing). Weekly benefits are paid to workers from the Trust Fund, which is supported by taxes on employers.

Need help with a claim or have questions?

Meet with an agent: Schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Chat with an agent: Log into your MiWAM account during normal business hours.

Call Customer Service: 1-866-500-0017 during normal business hours.

Ask Ava: Our chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA can answer many general questions.

Find answers: View FAQs, videos, toolkits, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA.