UIA closed 3 days next week for Presidents Day and system upgrade

It’s important for workers to certify early and avoid delays in benefits

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) offices will be closed for three days next week, which will have a significant impact on unemployed workers and employers.

• Monday, Feb. 16, is Presidents Day, a state holiday, and UIA offices will be closed, but online resources will be live for unemployed workers and employers to use.
• Beginning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, UIA offices and all public services will be unavailable until Monday morning, Feb. 23, to prepare for the tax launch of MiUI, a new, modern computer system that will replace the more-than-decade-old MiWAM system.

Be sure to certify bi-weekly work searches before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18; the next time you can do so will be Monday morning, Feb. 23. UIA will allow you to file claims or certify work searches using MARVIN at any time Tuesday and through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, regardless of your designated day and time.

With the holiday and Downtime Period closures next week there may be a delay in unemployment benefits being deposited into bank accounts or added to U.S. Bank debit cards. To avoid a delay, be sure to certify before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Presidents Day closure Monday, Feb. 16

On Monday, unemployed workers can go online using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) and Michigan.gov/UIA to certify their work searches, access helpful resources, schedule appointments, or use UIA’s chatbot to get answers to general questions about unemployment.

MiWAM will be available to file a claim — following the steps in the Claimant Roadmap — or complete other tasks. MiWAM is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when UIA offices are closed on state holidays. Log in at Michigan.gov/UIA.

MARVIN phone lines will not be in operation and UIA’s 12 Local Offices across the state will also be closed. With the holiday closure, there may be a delay in unemployment benefits being deposited into bank accounts or added to U.S. Bank debit cards.

MiUI system transition Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 19-22

Starting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, MiWAM and other UIA services will be unavailable to all users: unemployed workers, employers, and UIA staff. This Downtime Period is required to transfer data from the old MiWAM system to the new MiUI system and will run through Sunday, Feb. 22. MiWAM will return to operation for everyone on Monday morning, Feb. 23, which is also when the tax release of MiUI will be live for employers and their fiscal representatives to use.

During the Downtime Period, MARVIN, Local Offices, customer service phone lines, and the Office of Employer Ombudsman phones will be unavailable. However, you will be able to access 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.

Helpful resources for workers and employers

UIA’s many helpful online resources for navigating the unemployment landscape are part of the agency’s goal of being 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.
• 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, seeking work and registration requirements, and employer-focused seminars about UIA’s planned new computer system known as MiUI. The First-time Filer Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
• The Advocacy Program, which provides free legal help for unemployed workers and employers who appeal UIA redeterminations.
• 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, detailed information, and other resources for workers and employers can be found at Michigan.gov/UIA. Helpful instructional and informational videos are posted on YouTube.
• 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.
• The innovative Employer Help Center, a plain language guide that answers employers’ questions about unemployment taxes, claim issues, and UIA programs. It can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter.
• A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been laid off or terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• The UIA Economic Dashboard, which tracks local and statewide trends in unemployment insurance at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.

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: 1-866-366-0004.