Beginning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, workers and employers will not be able to use MiWAM, access UIA offices, or contact the agency by phone.
Certify early next week to avoid any disruption of benefits.
Here are the steps MiWAM users should take ahead of the partial launch of MiUI, a modern, user-friendly unemployment tax and benefits platform.
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will temporarily take its Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) platform offline from 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, through Sunday, Feb. 22, in preparation for the partial launch of MiUI, the agency’s new, modern computer system. Other services such as MARVIN for certifying work searches, Local Offices, and Customer Service and Office of Employer Ombudsman phones will also be unavailable during the transition Downtime Period.
While MiWAM is offline, claimants and employers still can access resources at UIA’s public website — Michigan.gov/UIA — such as factsheets, videos, FAQs, and an online chatbot for general information about filing a claim, paying taxes, and more.
During the Downtime Period, which is required to transfer data from the old MiWAM system to the new MiUI system, no one will be able to access MiWAM, including unemployed workers, employers, and UIA staff.
On Monday morning, Feb. 23, MiWAM and other public services will once again be accessible. Unemployed workers will be able to use MiWAM for filing claims, certifying work searches, requesting appeals, and more until summer 2026. Employers and third-party administrators, who perform various unemployment insurance duties for an employer, will begin using MiUi for tax purposes.
5 things unemployed workers need to know about the Downtime Period
- What is unavailable: Certifying for benefits (online or by phone), checking payment status, receiving MiWAM messages, updating account information, and more.
- What will be available: Everything at UIA’s public website at Michigan.gov/UIA, including chatbot assistance, scheduling appointments, the Claimant Roadmap, FAQs, printable forms, first-time filer resources, and information on how to submit protests or appeals by mail or fax. Michigan Works! locations will also be open to assist workers.
- Certify window: Complete all MiWAM tasks by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, including certifying your work search and availability. Claimants won’t be penalized for missing their certification window due to the Downtime Period. Be aware that UIA will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents Day.
- Benefits may be delayed: After 5 p.m. Wednesday, the next day to certify is Monday, Feb. 23. If you don’t certify before Wednesday, Feb. 18, your benefit payments may be delayed since MiWAM will not be accessible and UIA offices will be closed on Presidents Day.
- Watch out for scams: UIA will not contact you by phone, text, or in person during the downtime. Don’t respond to suspicious messages.
4 things employers and TPAs need to know about the Downtime Period
- What is unavailable: The Office of the Employer Ombudsman phone lines, submitting wage reports or payments in MiWAM, accessing employer account info, communicating with UIA via MiWAM, and more.
- What will be available: Michigan.gov/UIA for resources, fact sheets and forms, the Employer Help Center, MiUI University for MiUI training, FAQs, and guides. Submit separation info to the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) by logging in directly.
- Prepare now for MiUI: Review the dozens of resources on the Training and Resources page at MiUI University. Also at MiUI University, check out the Countdown to MiUI checklist to stay on track, learn how to create a MiLogin for Business account or associate MiUI to your MiLogin account, and, review the What Stops in MiWAM and When Guide. You can also sign up for an Employer or TPA Seminar on MiUI, and test wage report files using the MiUI Wage Report File Validation Tool at MiUI University.
- Explore additional resources: Make your transition to MiUI go smoothly by catching up on the MiUI Minute Newsletter and the Michigan Employer Advisor monthly newsletter for employers and TPAs.
The transition to MiUI is part of UIA’s continued goal of transforming the agency into a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service. MiUI is a user-friendly system designed to enhance unemployment services for claimants, employers, and third-party administrators. It will replace the more than decade-old MiWAM with up-to-date technology and user experiences.
Other important resources for workers and employers
MiUI is one of the many resources UIA provides for workers and employers, including:
- The UIA Claimant Roadmap, which is an easy-to-follow, user-friendly six-step guide to applying for and understanding unemployment benefits. The roadmap can be accessed at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
- A new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA for quick and accurate answers to general unemployment questions. Available using either a desktop or mobile device.
- Online Coaching Sessions led by UIA staff on topics such as repaying overpaid benefits, filing a first-time claim, understanding a Monetary Determination letter, and the protest and appeals process. The First-time Filer Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
- A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been furloughed or terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
- The UIA Economic Dashboard, which tracks local and statewide trends in unemployment insurance at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.
- The innovative Employer Help Center, found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter. The plain language guide answers employers’ questions on unemployment tax and claim issues and UIA programs.
- The Advocacy Program, which provides no-cost legal advice to workers and employers who appeal UIA determinations.
- The UIA Economic Dashboard, which tracks local and statewide trends in unemployment insurance at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.
- The UIA Modernization Workgroup, consisting of labor, business, and jobless advocates, to advise the UIA on significant improvements in how it can better serve Michigan workers and employers, including anti-fraud practices.
Need help with a claim or have questions?
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: 1-866-366-0004.
