Michiganders who lost work from April storms can apply for disaster unemployment benefits

Federal aid available to those in 27 counties affected by severe weather, tornadoes, and flooding

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced today that federal disaster compensation is available to residents who lost their jobs, or had a temporary job loss, because of severe storms in April.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available for those affected by tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding across Michigan between April 10 and April 21 if they do not qualify for regular state unemployment insurance.

The presidential disaster declaration applies to workers in more than two dozen counties: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wexford. 

Applications must be filed by Aug. 29, 2026.

Individuals could receive up to 38 weeks of disaster unemployment benefits if they lost their job or are partially unemployed due to weather-related incidents, with all benefits ending Jan. 2, 2027. Eligibility for disaster unemployment benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

Criteria to apply

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

• Apply for regular unemployment insurance benefits in Michigan.
• Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any other state.
• Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the president.
• Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien.
• Worked or was self-employed or was scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area affected by the disaster.
• Establish that the work or self-employment that can no longer be performed was a primary source of income.

Applicants must also meet one or more of these criteria:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment due to the disaster.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused by the disaster.
• Became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household because of the death of the head of the household as a direct result of this disaster.
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government as a direct result of this disaster.
• Was to begin work and no longer has a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the disaster.

You may qualify if your employment was affected in one or more of these ways but you have now returned to work.

How to apply

All applicants must first apply for regular unemployment benefits before being considered for disaster assistance. Individuals will not receive disaster unemployment benefits if they are eligible for regular benefits during this disaster.

1. Apply for regular unemployment insurance using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) portal at Michigan.gov/UIA.

2. If denied, request Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Download an information packet.

Download the application packet, complete it electronically or by hand, then mail your printed copy to UIA.

Those who are unable to download and print the application can stop into a UIA Local Office for assistance (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, no appointment needed). Find the nearest UIA Local Office at Michigan.gov/UIA. Print services are also available at your local library or Michigan Works! Association.

         Unemployment Insurance Agency

         P.O. Box 169

         Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169

3. Submit documentation

You must provide proof of your employment, self-employment, or work that was schedule to begin (or resume) when the disaster occurred.

Proof of employment can be submitted at the time of filing or within 21 days of filing a claim. If proof of employment is not provided, the claim will be denied and benefits will not be received. A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required. Self-employed individuals should also provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F.

UIA has created a webpage [[Link to be added]] with more information about disaster unemployment assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

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. 
• 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.