What you need to know about changes to unemployment law coming in July

New UIA webpage explains the impact on jobless benefits

New changes to Michigan’s unemployment insurance law are coming in July that will alter how people on unemployment qualify for benefits, can appeal cases, and apply for relief from returning benefits they improperly collected.

What is new?

• You must report at least three work search activities each week, up from one currently.
• Victims of domestic violence who leave their jobs would not be excluded from receiving benefits, providing them with financial stability.
• Some appeal cases can be combined into one hearing before a judge.
• People who must pay back improperly collected benefits can more frequently apply for a repayment waiver.

  The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) details these changes and more on a new webpage — Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges — that explains what unemployed workers can expect from the changes as they file for and maintain their benefits.

  “These are major changes in unemployment law. The biggest change that claimants need to be aware of is added work search requirement responsibility,” said Jason Palmer, UIA Director. “If you don’t report three work search activities each week while certifying for benefits then you won’t be paid or may have to return benefits you were not supposed to receive.”

  Beginning the week of July 19, 2026, people receiving unemployment benefits are responsible for documenting at least three work search activities each week when they certify for benefits. Learn more about work search at Michigan.gov/UIA.

  The fastest and easiest way to record your work searches — which is part of the requirement to certify for benefits every two weeks — is through your online MiWAM account. MiWAM is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to complete the process of receiving benefits.

  “Equally important is the support the law provides for survivors of domestic violence,” Palmer said. “If someone must leave their job because they or a family member is a victim of domestic violence, then they will not be excluded from receiving unemployment benefits. This change would provide survivors additional financial stability at a critical time in their lives.”

  The domestic violence reason for leaving a job goes into effect July 17, 2026.

  Other upcoming changes in the law

• Combining appeals: People who receive unemployment benefits and employers will be allowed to consolidate approved appeal cases into one hearing before an administrative law judge with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR). Multiple issues on the same claim can be resolved at the same time, avoiding the need to schedule different hearings. This option will be available beginning July 17, 2026. Learn more about protests and appeals at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Financial hardship waiver: If you cannot afford to pay back benefits you should not have received then you will be able to submit up to four financial hardship waiver applications each year, an increase from just one every six months. Also, UIA will not consider unemployment benefits as part of its calculation of your household income when determining whether to approve a waiver. This change is effective July 17, 2026.
• Work Share Program: Employers can reduce employee hours between 10 percent and 60 percent (it’s currently 15 percent to 45 percent) beginning July 19, 2026. This gives employers a greater opportunity to retain their skilled and trained employees while workers get to keep their jobs and receive partial unemployment benefits to make up for a portion of their lost wages. Learn more about Work Share at Michigan.gov/UIA.

The July changes were signed into law in December 2024 after bipartisan legislation passed the Michigan House and Senate. Companion legislation increased from 20 to 26 the maximum number of weeks to receive benefits and boosted the maximum benefit amount. The 26 weeks limit is already in effect, and benefits will increase again on Jan. 1, 2027.

Solutions for Michigan workers, employers

UIA provides a variety of resources for those looking to file for unemployment or who may already be receiving benefits:

• UIA Claimant Roadmap. An easy-to-follow six-step guide to applying for and understanding benefits. Find it at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• New chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA. Powered by artificial intelligence, it provides quick and accurate answers to general unemployment questions. Access the chatbot using either a desktop or mobile device.
• Online Coaching Sessions. Led by UIA staff on topics such as 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.
• Guidance for federal employees. A comprehensive list of resources for federal employees who have been terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• The Advocacy Program. Free legal help for workers and employers who have filed appeals of UIA redeterminations.
• New, modern user platform. MiUI will be easy to use, speed claims processing, and build on the agency’s aggressive anti-fraud tactics. It will replace the decade-old MiWAM computer system used by workers to apply for benefits and employers to pay unemployment insurance taxes. For information, see Michigan.gov/MiUIUniversity.
• UIA Public Dashboards. Interactive displays provide a deep dive into underlying data and trends in unemployment insurance in Michigan as well as core metrics that measure UIA’s success.
• UIA Modernization Workgroup. A coalition of thought leaders from the labor, business, and jobless advocate communities that provides insight into how the agency can better serve Michigan’s workers and employers.
• Employer Help Center. This plain language guide answers employers’ questions about unemployment tax, claim issues, and UIA programs. The Help Center can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter.

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: Claimant Customer Service — 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday. For TTY service, call 1-866-366-0004. Office of Employer Ombudsman — 1-855-484-2636, Option 4, Monday through Friday.