Access UIA’s online resources over Christmas holidays

State offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but unemployed workers can still certify work searches online, access many helpful web-based resources, or ask UIA’s chatbot for answers to general questions about unemployment.

The Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) can be used to file claims -- following the steps in the UIA Claimant Roadmap – or certify work searches when state offices are closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25. MiWAM is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when UIA offices are closed. Log in at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Using MiWAM to apply for benefits and certify work searches is the quickest and most efficient way to complete the benefits process.

Certifying by phone using the Michigan Automated Voice Interactive Network (MARVIN) will not be possible when UIA offices are closed. MARVIN will be available again on Friday, Dec. 26. To collect benefits, workers must report their job status and whether they meet work eligibility requirements every two weeks.

With the two-day closure of UIA offices there may be a slight delay in unemployment benefits being deposited into bank accounts or added to U.S. Bank debit cards.

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

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 on Friday, Dec. 26.

Helpful resources for workers

Any time UIA offices are closed, unemployed workers can access these resources that establish UIA as 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, overpayment collections, 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.
• Michigan.gov/UIA, which provides answers to frequently asked questions, toolkits, detailed information, and other resources.
• A library of helpful instructional videos on YouTube.
• A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been laid off or terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• The Advocacy Program, which provides free legal help with appeals of UIA redeterminations.
• 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.

Need help or have questions about a claim?

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

Search online: FAQs, videos, toolkits, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA.

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

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

Talk with us: 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday. TTY service is available by calling 1-866-366-0004.