Workers can access UIA's online resources around Thanksgiving when state offices are closed

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after, but workers can still go online to certify work searches, access a many helpful resources, or use UIA’s chatbot for answers to general questions.

Workers can file claims online -- following the steps in the UIA Claimant Roadmap – when state offices are closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, or certify their job searches using their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account. MiWAM is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when UIA offices are closed. Log in to MiWAM at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Applying for benefits, certifying, and logging work searches online is the quickest and most efficient way for workers to access benefits.

The Michigan Automated Voice Interactive Network (MARVIN) will not be available to certify by phone on days when UIA offices are closed. MARVIN will be available again beginning Monday, Dec. 1. To be able to collect benefits, workers must report every two weeks their job status and whether they meet work eligibility requirements.

Workers should be aware that with the two-day closure of UIA offices there may be a slight delay in having unemployment benefits deposited into bank accounts or added to U.S. Bank debit cards.

UIA’s artificial intelligence-powered chatbot will be available 24 hours a day during the long holiday weekend at Michigan.gov/UIA. Workers and employers can access the chatbot using either a desktop or mobile device for quick and accurate responses to general questions.

The UIA’s 12 Local Offices, Customer Service hotline at 1-866-500-0017, and the Office of Employer Ombudsman phone line at 1-855-484-2636, Option 4, will be available again to serve Michigan residents and employers beginning Monday, Dec. 1.

Helpful resources available to workers

Workers can access at any time these resources, created and enhanced as part of UIA’s effort to transform into a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service:

• The UIA Claimant Roadmap, a six-step, user-friendly guide to applying for and understanding benefits. Access the roadmap at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• A list of Online Coaching Sessions, which are 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 Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
• A calendar of available phone, virtual, or in-person appointments that can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Answers to frequently asked questions, toolkits, and resources at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• A library of helpful instructional videos can be viewed on YouTube.
• A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• Apply for free legal help with appeals of UIA redeterminations through the Advocacy Program.
• The UIA Economic Dashboard, which tracks local and statewide trends in unemployment insurance at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.
• MiUI University, to learn more about UIA’s upcoming new, modern MiUI computer system available to all users in Summer 2026. MiUI will be easy to use, speed claims processing, and build on the agency’s aggressive anti-fraud tactics. It also will include plain language forms and correspondence for easier understanding of expectations.
• Renovated Local Offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, and Sterling Heights to create an improved user experience and make security upgrades.

Need help or have questions about a claim?

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

Chat with an agent: Available through MiWAM Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Call Customer Service: 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ask Ava: UIA’s chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA can answer many questions.

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