Unemployment News – New Rule Allows for Relief from Having to Seek Work while collecting Unemployment!
Great News! Changes were made to the unemployment rules, expanding the activities that qualify for work search. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has approved our online training program, “Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals”, as a valid work search activity!
What does this mean for you? This means that if you/your employees are enrolled in our training program and complete one module per each week that they are laid off, they do not have to go out and search for work!
Membership Matters! As a current member of MNLA there is NO CHARGE for enrollment in “Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals” for you and/or any of your employees!
How it works:
1. The MNLA Member Firm should enroll their either soon-to-be or laid off employees in MNLA’s “Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals”. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to: www.etrainingmnla.org
Step 2: Click the first button just beneath the video on your screen “MNLA Members – Enroll In Green Industry Fundamentals” and complete the Registration Form and hit “Submit”.
Step 3: Each of your employees should check their e-mail inbox for an email from Emily@mnla.org that contains access instructions and their individual account username and password. This email will be sent by close of business on the next regular business day (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm), i.e. if you sign up on Saturday you will receive the email with your access instructions, username, and password on Monday by 5:00 pm.
Step 4: Upon log-in, choose “Project Plant” on the right-hand side.
Step 5: Beginning with Module 1, they will watch the video and complete the quiz (found at the bottom of the page), at the rate of 1 module per week.
Step 6: Upon quiz completion, 70% is needed to pass and the quiz can be taken unlimited amount of times, the individual will select and copy the website address and save it to a document. This address will be provided to the unemployment insurance agency as proof of enrollment—see B. below—so you do not have to search for work.
2. Each employee must file a Claim with Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Here are instructions from the State of Michigan, Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Unemployment Insurance Agency on how to apply:
A. Get ready to apply
Before applying, gather the information you'll need:
- Social Security number
- Employment information for the past 18 months: employer name and address, first/last day worked/ gross earnings
- Your address, phone number, date of birth
- Non-Citizens Alien registration and the expiration date of your work authorization card
- Driver's License or State ID
B. How to apply
The best and fastest way to apply is online using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). You may also apply by phone at 1-866-500-0017.
View the MiWAM Toolkit for Claimants for step by step instructions on how create your account.
After you apply:
- Register for work by creating you job seeker profile at MiTalent.org
- Meet with staff from you local Michigan Works! Service Center virtually or in person
- Certify your eligibility every two weeks to receive payment - Report honestly
- You must report that you’ve completed one module of MNLA’s Green Industry Fundamentals each week, to satisfy your weekly work search activity requirement. To do this, follow these instructions:
- You can either certify Online or by Phone:
- Online: Visit Michigan.gov/UIA and log into your MiWAM account.
- When asked by: “Did you look for work or complete a valid work search activity during the week Sunday, (date) through Saturday, (date)?
- Answer: “Yes”.
- Then: In the Work Search Activity drop down box, choose “Participate in occupational skill or computer course that issue certificate”.
- Then: In answer to “Method of Contact” select “Online” in the dropdown box.
- Then: Copy and paste the web address that you saved from #1, Step 6.
- Warning! You will be asked “Did you BEGIN attending school or training classes between Sunday, (date) and Saturday, (date). You should answer “NO” to this question! “Participate in occupational skill or computer course that issue certificate” is different than attending school or training classes. Unless you truly attended school or training classes you should answer “NO” to this question.
- By Phone: (also known as MARVIN). Call 1-866-638-3993 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- When asked: “Did you look for work during the week Sunday, (date) through Saturday, (date)?
- Answer: “Yes”.
- When asked: What was your Work Search Activity?
- Answer: I “Participated in occupational skill or computer course that issue certificate”.
- When Asked: Method of Contact?
- Answer: State that it was “Online”.
- Then: Provide the web address that you saved from #1, Step 6.
- Warning! You will be asked “Did you BEGIN attending school or training classes between Sunday, (date) and Saturday, (date). You should answer “NO” to this question! “Participate in occupational skill or computer course that issue certificate” is different than attending school or training classes. Unless you truly attended school or training classes you should answer “NO” to this question.
- If you are NOT enrolled in MNLA’s Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals you must Search for work and report at least one weekly work search activity for each week during your bi-weekly certification.
- Watch for and respond to any information request we send you. You may choose to receive information electronically or by mail. This information may be time sensitive and affect your eligibility for benefits.
- Sign up for direct deposit or a debit card to receive your weekly benefits faster and more securely
- Read the Handbook for Unemployed Workers or Fact Sheet 160 - Claiming Unemployment Benefits in Michigan to learn about the requirements.
C. What's next?
How do I get paid?
In order to get paid, EVERY TWO WEEKS you must report (certify) that you are still unemployed by answering some questions.
How do I report?
- Online 24/7 through your MiWAM account.
- Phone MARVIN (1-866-638-3993) Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Payment posts within 2-3 business days from the date you report. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are not considered a business day.
There are two options for payment
- Direct deposit through your bank or credit union - You will need your routing number and account number
- UIA debit card
Questions about your claim?
- Visit Michigan.gov/UIA for tools and resources
- Access your MIWAM account 24/7
- Chat with an agent Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Call our Customer Service line at 866-500-0017, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Schedule an appointment online with the option of a closed-captioned virtual meeting for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Ask Ava, UIA's 24/7 chat feature.
More resources
| New February 2022: Identity Verification |
| New February 2022: How to Contact your Legislator |
| Dec. 2021: New Rule Allows for Relief from Having to Seek Work while collecting Unemployment! |
| Unemployment Insurance Agency website, MI Dept of Labor and Economic Opportunity |
| Employer Forms, MI Unemployment Insurance Agency |
| For Employees: MiWAM Toolkit can be found on the website, under the UIA Resources tab |