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!

In addition, there is NO CHARGE for enrollment in “Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals” for all MNLA Members and their employees—courtesy of the MNLA Board of Directors!

How it works:

1. Each employee must file a Claim with Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). You can either file online or by phone. Click HERE or go to: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_97241_89982_92608_63224_98972---,00.html for more details.

2. Each employee must complete the Register to Work Requirement – 2 Steps!

(Click HERE or go to: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_97241_89980_90212_109225---,00.html for more details)

To meet the Register for Work requirement you must complete the following two steps:

Step 1 – First, create your job seeker profile on Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

Step 2 – Second, meet with staff from your local Michigan Works! Service Center, either virtually or in person.

    • Contact Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS (9675) or find your local Michigan Works! Service Center by clicking on the map at MichiganWorks.org.
    • The Register for Work requirement is not met until you meet with Michigan Works! Service Center staff, who will verify your job seeker profile and send their verification to the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). You will receive a confirmation email when the process is completed successfully.
    • The two steps (creating a profile and meeting with Michigan Works! staff) must be completed and verified at least one business day before you certify for the first time to receive weekly unemployment benefits. If you fail to meet with Michigan Works! Service Center staff, it could prevent you from receiving your unemployment benefits.
    • After you complete the Register for Work requirement you won't need to register again until one year after you have made your initial claim for unemployment benefits.

3. The MNLA Member Firm should enroll their 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, the individual will take a screenshot of the quiz results (70% is needed to pass, can be taken unlimited amount of times), and a screenshot of the completed module checkmark.

4. Each employee must Certify (also known as reporting) for your benefits

You must certify bi-weekly to receive benefits (payments). Your certification week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday of each week. The preferred method of certifying is online through your MiWAM account, although certifying by phone is also available. If you certify online, you can certify anytime during your certification week. If you certify using MARVIN, you must certify on your scheduled certification day and time. Certifying involves answering a series of questions designed to determine if you are still eligible to receive benefits (payments).

You can either certify Online or by Phone:

- Online: Visit Michigan.gov/UIA and log into your MiWAM account.

When asked: “Did you look for work or complete a valid work search activity during the week Sunday, (date) through Saturday, (date)?

Answer: “Yes, I was enrolled in the UIA approved “MNLA Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals” course and upload the screen shots as proof of your weekly work search requirement.

- By Phone: (also known as MARVIN). Call 1-866-638-3993 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on the day of the week in this schedule:

unemployment_table

- When asked: “Did you look for work or complete a valid work search activity during the week Sunday, (date) through Saturday, (date)?

- Answer: “Yes, I was enrolled in the UIA approved “MNLA Project PLaNT: Green Industry Fundamentals” course.

Note for employees performing snow removal activities: You may work part-time and collect a partial unemployment benefit payment.