Deadline this Saturday to apply for disaster unemployment assistance for April storms

Michigan residents who lost work due to severe weather must request assistance by Aug. 29, 2026

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is calling on workers whose jobs were disrupted by April storms, tornadoes, and flooding to apply now for federal disaster compensation before the program ends later this     week.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to residents in more than two dozen counties who lost their jobs or experienced temporary job loss from severe weather across Michigan between April 10 and April 21.

Applications must be completed and mailed by Aug. 29, 2026. Please note: The Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadline differs from other FEMA relief programs for this disaster.

Download an information packet including DUA application.

The presidential disaster declaration applies to workers in these 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.

Disaster unemployment assistance may provide up to 38 weeks of financial support to qualified individuals, with eligibility determined on a week-to-week basis and all benefits ending Jan. 2, 2027.

Even if an individual has returned to work, they may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance if their employment was affected in one or more of the ways listed below.

Criteria to apply

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

• Apply for and been denied regular unemployment insurance benefits in Michigan.
• Didn't 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.

How to apply

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 the application packet at the DUA website, complete the forms electronically or by hand, then mail a 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 local libraries or Michigan Works! Association locations.

Applications must be mailed to:

     Unemployment Insurance Agency
     P.O. Box 169
     Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169

3. Submit documentation

You must provide proof of 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 paid. 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 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:

• A website explaining recent changes in Michigan unemployment law, including the increase in the number of required weekly work search activities and a provision that allows domestic violence victims who quit their job to receive benefits if they also meet other eligibility requirements. Find out more at Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges.
• UIA Claimant Roadmap. An easy-to-follow six-step guide to applying for and understanding benefits. Find it at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• 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 staff from the UIA 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.
• The Advocacy Program. Free legal help for workers and employers who have filed appeals of UIA redeterminations.
• Language Assistance Services provide free support in Spanish, Arabic, Albanian, Bengali, and Chinese to increase understanding of the services and information UIA provides.
• A 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.
• Performance 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.
• 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 about unemployment?

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.