Governor Whitmer welcomes new unemployment protections for survivors of domestic violence

Law with bipartisan support takes effect July 17 ensures survivors won’t have to choose between safety and income

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today highlighted new unemployment protections for survivors of domestic violence that take effect on July 17, 2026, ensuring access to critical financial support as they seek safety from an abuser.

The new provision is one of several changes to unemployment law that passed with bipartisan support and signed by the governor (Public Act 238). The provision allows someone who left work due to domestic violence to qualify for unemployment benefits if they otherwise meet eligibility requirements.

“This law marks an important step in supporting survivors of domestic violence in Michigan,” Governor Whitmer said. “It means survivors will have more resources and stability when making the difficult decision to leave a dangerous situation. No one should have to choose between their safety and their paycheck. These protections will help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and support.”

The provision goes into effect on July 17, 2026, and aligns Michigan with a growing number of states that have enacted unemployment protections for survivors of domestic violence. Michigan’s version stands out for its confidentiality and safety features. The law includes a strict prohibition on disclosing domestic-violence related evidence, accepts documentation from a range of sources (not just law enforcement), and outlines multiple qualifying circumstances that reflect the real ways domestic violence can affect employment. Workers can also use alternate contact information if needed to be safe.

“This protection recognizes the challenges survivors of domestic violence face and provides important financial support in a critical time,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). “We thank the many stakeholders who worked closely with UIA to ensure a careful and deliberate implementation of this consequential provision.”

“Financial control is one of the most common and powerful tools used by abusers,” said Elinor Jordan, Public Benefits Law Attorney at Michigan Poverty Law Program. “Survivors often stay because they fear losing income, housing, or the ability to care for their families. These new protections – including strict confidentiality around their unemployment claim – give people crucial financial support that can help them take steps toward safety.”

UIA has posted a detailed FAQ about the new domestic violence provision on a new webpage about this month's law changes at Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges.

UIA encourages workers seeking benefits to review eligibility requirements and available resources before filing a claim. When completing an application, claimants will see “domestic violence” as one of the selectable separation reasons. Information about applying for unemployment benefits, required documentation, and claimant resources is available at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Other changes to unemployment law in July

The domestic violence provision is not the only change workers and employers will see implemented this month:

• Beginning the week of July 19, those who receive unemployment benefits must report at least three work search activities each week, up from one currently.
• Also beginning July 19, employers using the Work Share program can reduce employee hours from 10 percent to 60 percent (the current range is 15 percent to 45 percent). This will allow employers to retain skilled, trained workers, and workers can collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for lost wages.
• Beginning July 17, unemployed workers and employers can request to have some appeal cases combined into one hearing before an administrative law judge.
• Also beginning July 17, people who must pay back improperly collected benefits can apply for a financial hardship waiver up to four times a year, a change from once every six months.

Companion bipartisan legislation signed into law in December 2024 (Public Act 173) increased the maximum weeks of benefits from 20 to 26, and prescribed changes in the maximum weekly benefit rate, which will increase from $530 today to $614 on Jan. 1, 2027. Beginning January 2028, changes in the maximum weekly benefit rate will be tied to the federal Consumer Price Index.  

Helpful resources for workers and employers

UIA’s many helpful online resources for navigating the unemployment landscape are part of the agency’s commitment to 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, and seeking work and registration requirements. The First-time Filer Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
• Language Assistance Services provide free support in Spanish, Arabic, Albanian, Bengali, and Chinese to increase understanding of the services and information UIA provides.
• 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 new, modern MiUI user platform. 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 next steps.
• A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been laid off or terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• Performance Dashboards. Interactive tools 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.
• 2025 Annual Report. Data-driven insights into UIA’s initiatives to improve the unemployment experience for workers and employers across Michigan.

Need help with a claim or have questions?

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

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

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.

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.