The estate of Michigan provides unemployment compensation to those who meet the requirements. You may receive benefits for a minimum of 14 weeks and up to a maximum of 26 weeks unless the unemployment

Compensation benefit is based on family benefits. If this is your situation payments can not be received for more than 7 weeks. The actual amount that you can receive is not more than $362 and not less than $81. First you must make sure that you are eligible for benefits and the first thing to check is your wage record during the base period. If you are not sure what that is, don´t worry it is not difficult to discover your base period. Just look back to the last 5 calendar quarters before you claim for unemployment benefits. The first four of these is considered to be your base period and the quarter when you earned your highest wages is the one which decides the weekly amount that you will receive. If for some reason you find that you don´t qualify on that basis there is another way you could qualify for benefits. This is by counting the four calendar quarters immediately before you file your claim.

The alternative base period could be used to qualify you for benefits – this is called The Alternative Earnings Qualifier and you can be accepted on that basis if you had earned wages in at least two quarters and the total amount earned was above $13,564.60. It may be your case that you apply again for benefits less than six calendar quarters after your last benefit year finished.

The benefit year is 52 consecutive weeks starting when you file for benefits. If you subsequently worked before the present benefit year began and your employer paid not less than 5 times the amount you were receiving during your previous benefit year, you can be accepted as qualifying for benefits. At this moment you qualify financially for benefits – however it is also required that you are ready and willing to work if a suitable job is offered and you should be actively looking for employment.

The weekly amount you receive in benefit payments can include those who depend on you for example a spouse (husband or wife) or a child. The amount for each dependant is $6 and as many as 5 dependents may be added. As we said before, the earnings you received in your high quarter are your basis for the amount you will get each week as benefits.

To make the calculation you just multiply this high quarter amount by 4.1% (0.041) and round it down to the nearest dollar. Add to the total the amount you are due for dependents and that will be your weekly benefit amount. If you would like to calculate the number of weeks that you can claim benefits you can do so by multiplying you total base period earnings by 40% (0.4) and dividing this total by the Weekly Benefit Amount.

This is the final article in a three-article series on the resources available to unemployed workers in Michigan. These articles offer practical and up-to-date information on the resources available to Michigan citizens with financial difficulties due to unemployment.

In our final article we will discuss health insurance and foreclosure assistance programs. Finding suitable housing and healthcare are two of the biggest problems for unemployed workers who see their main source of income disappear. Tragically, in most cases families receive their health insurance through the main breadwinner’s employment. When the employment ends, so does the preferential rate of insurance. This often makes it impossible for workers to afford health insurance, only worsening the situation for them and their families.

Homeowners who lose their employment also find themselves without the income they relied on to pay for their mortgage. If they fall behind their payments it doesn’t take long for lenders to file for foreclosure. Once unemployed, finding suitable housing for a family can be a challenge with landlords requiring proof of income.

The programs we detail in this article provide practical assistance in these areas for unemployed workers in the State of Michigan.

Health Assistance

MIChild:
Insurance program for uninsured children administered by the Department of
Community Health (MDCH).
1-888-988-6300
www.michigan.gov/mdch

Medicaid Help Line:
Administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS)
1-800-642-3195
www.michigan.gov/dhs

Free Clinics of Michigan (FCOM): Network of volunteer-staffed free clinics that provide health care services to the uninsured or medically underserved.

1-888-877-6769
www.FCOMI.org

Prescription Assistance Service is also available to unemployed workers who cannot benefit from the reduced prices offered to workers with health insurance. There are several programs offering prescription assistance each with their own rules and requirements. Use the contact information below to contact them and ask for more information.

Michigan Prescription Drug Discount Card is administered by the Department of Community Health (MDCH). The MiRx card is a way for Michigan residents who do not have prescription drug coverage to get their medication for less
money at participating pharmacies.
MiRx Enrollment Hotline: 1-866-755-6479
www.michigan.gov/mdch

Rx Assist: Searchable database of prescription assistance programs.
n/a www.rxassist.org

World Medical Relief 313-866-5333 www.worldmedicalrelief.com

Partnership for Prescription Assistance 1-888-477-2669 www.pparxmi.org

Pfizer Inc. 1-866-706-2400 www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com

Lilly Cares 1-800-545-6962 www.lillycares.com

Foreclosure

Foreclosure assistance is offered by the Foreclosure Prevention Counselors at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. This program offers households facing foreclosure with free assistance from foreclosure prevention counselors who will help you apply for state and federal foreclosure programs. Visit www.michigan.gov/helpinghand for more information or call 1-866-946-7432.

This series of articles provides practical information on the programs available to unemployed households in the state of Michigan. Our previous article focused on programs that offered information and access to resources offered by other agencies. This article highlights programs offered directly by the government and private agencies that promote them.

Job Assistance

The state of Michigan has two main job assistance programs: Michigan Works! and Talent Bank Help Line. The Michigan Works! program is an employment database which links workers and employers and provides workers with access to educational and training programs. This includes assistance with preparing resumes, recommendation letters and to prepare for job interviews.

The Talent Bank Help line is also managed by Michigan Works! but allows citizens to access job assistance services over the phone instead of the internet.  To access this program call 1-888-253-6855 or visit www.michworks.com.

Unemployment Insurance Agency

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is Michigan’s primary source of financial assistance for unemployed workers. However, this service is not for everyone. You must meet financial and legal requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits. For instance, to qualify for benefits you must have received a minimum amount of income set by the Unemployment Insurance Agency, have lost your job due to no fault of your own and be willing and able to work.

Utility Assistance Programs

The state of Michigan offers low-income citizens help with their utility bills through four main programs: Consumers Energy (1-800-477-5050), DTE Energy (1-800-477-4747), SEMCO Energy (1-800-624-2019) and the Michigan Energy Assistance Directory. The Michigan Energy Assistance Directory  is an online directory which offers information on both private and public energy assistance programs. Visit www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/winterwise/energy_assistance.htm for more information.

The services offered by these programs include financial assistance to cover energy expenses, grants and low-cost loans for home improvements to save on energy consumption, such as insulation, solar and wind energy. Other programs allow Michigan workers to average out their energy bills throughout the year as a type of saving plan for the higher energy costs of the winter months.

These programs are not available to everyone. You must meet certain financial requirements, such as your income level, and the assets available to you. Visit the official websites of these programs (links above) and find out how much you could get in help for you and your family.

Unemployment benefits in the State of Michigan are not for all workers who lose their jobs. It is not even for all workers who lose their jobs due to no fault of their own, although that is a qualifying requirement. There are financial requirements besides the legal requirements that restrict unemployment benefits to workers who have been fired, resign or who do not wish to actively search for work. This article will look at these financial requirements as they stand in 2011. These requirements change on a regular basis, so it is important to have the latest information.

Standard Base Period

This is the period of time used to assess the financial requirements of the unemployment program. It includes the first four quarters of the last five completed quarters. Attention must be paid to include only completed quarters. A year’s quarters are January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December. For example, if you lose your job in August, the first quarter of the five used to measure your standard base period is April to June.

Alternate Base Period

Michigan’s unemployment insurance program can choose to apply an alternative base period for workers who do not qualify under the standard base period. This alternative period includes the four most recent completed quarters. Workers who have received higher wages in their last quarter will benefit from this alternative base period, which will either allow them to qualify for benefits or even increase the payment they would receive under the standard base period.

Qualifying Requirements

There are two main financial qualifying requirements: the total income earned during the base period (standard or alternative, whichever is applied) and the income in the highest earning quarter.

To qualify for benefits the wages in the highest earning quarter of a worker must amount to at least $2,871 and the total wages during the entire base period must be at least $4,306.50. This total amount is calculated by multiplying the minimum amount of the highest earning quarter by 1.5.

Alternate Financial Requirements

There are also alternative financial requirements for workers who do not qualify under the standard requirements. Under these requirements, workers must have earned wages in at least two of the quarters in their base period and the total income during the base period must be at least 20 times the average weekly wage of the State of Michigan. In 2011 that amounts to 20 times $823.35, or $16,467. This alternative earnings qualifier does not really help workers to qualify for benefits.

As we discussed in the previous article of this series on extended benefits, not all states receive the federal extended benefits program. It is restricted to states with especially high-unemployment rates. But what is considered high-unemployment in the United States, which has an average unemployment rate (May 2011) of 9.1 percent?

The rules governing the extended benefits in Michigan  apply to all states, so you will benefit from this article whether you have worked in Michigan or Florida. However, as we will see there are measures at the state level the legislature can take to extend unemployment benefits.

The Rules

The trigger point for the extended benefits program in Michigan is determined by the state’s insured unemployment rate, or IUR. Notice the IUR is NOT the same as the total unemployment rate, or TUR. The total unemployment rate tells us how many unemployed workers there are in a state or country’s workforce. The insured unemployment rate, however, gives us a 13-week average of the number of workers on benefits divided by the total number of workers (unemployed and employed) covered by unemployment insurance. The IUR ignores workers who have exhausted their benefits and are no longer under unemployment insurance program and provides a 13-week average that helps iron-out seasonal employment cycles.

For a state to receive extended benefits its insured unemployment rate must meet to requirements. First it must be 5 percent or higher and second it must be 20 percent higher than the insured unemployment rate of the last two years. The ideas is that states who are on their way back to recovery should no longer receive extended benefits.

Once a state is eligible for extended benefits it is eligible to receive the benefits for a minimum of 13 weeks. However, if it no longer meets the requirements, it will stop receiving extended benefits payments.

Michigan first met the requirements for the extended benefits program on January, 10, 2009 and made the first extended benefits payment on January 31, 2009. At this time, Michigan had an IUR of over 5 percent, which was 42 percent higher than the IUR rate in Michigan for the last two years.

However, the fall in employment levels evened out during 2009 risking the eligibility of Michigan to extended benefit as time went by, even though the employment situation was still dire. What did the state of Michigan do to save the extended benefits program and help unemployed workers continue receiving benefits? We will see the answer to that question in our next series of articles: modifying the rules of engagement for extended benefits.

When you think of unemployment benefits, you automatically think about the financial assistance provided every week through the Michigan UI program. However, this is only one of the services available to Michigan unemployed workers. This article will focus on some of the most useful and generous services unemployed workers can apply for. We also provide contact details and information on how to apply for each of these programs.

General Services Aid

This includes the main programs people associate with unemployment services. These include Cash Assistance for low-income and needy families, medical services, food assistance and emergency services. These programs are all sponsored by the Department of Human Services and you can find out more information by visiting their official website (click here).

If you are interested in the Food Stamps program you can contact directly by calling 1-800-481-4989.

Health and Insurance Aid

One of the biggest perks of being employed (besides getting a wage) is to be part of a health insurance program. Self-employed and unemployed workers generally have to pay much higher premiums than workers who are part of a medical program. The State of Michigan offers unemployed workers health programs such as Medicaid Help Line (1-800-642-3195), Free Clinics (1-888-877-6769 or www.FCOMI.org) and the Michigan Prescription Drug Discount Card.

Job Assistance

Need help finding a job? Two of Michigan’s UIA biggest departments: Michigan Works! and Talent Bank Help Line are designed to help you find a new job.

Foreclosure Protection

Often losing your work can affect your ability to meet your mortgage payments, which can lead to foreclosure. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides counseling and practical assistance to avoid this. This program helps homeowners who have lost their job organize their finances and join government sponsored programs designed to provide temporary assistance to cover mortgage payments while searching for work.

Utility Budget Help

Are you struggling to pay your utility bills? Is there a possibility your service might get cut off? If this is a problem you are going through, you should contact the Consumers Energy (1-800-477-5050), the DTE Energy (1-800-477-4747) or SEMCO Energy (1-800-624-2019) and ask for assistance. They can provide emergency assistance so your heating, water and electricity services are not disconnected.

These are only a small sample of the social programs available to unemployed and underemployed workers in Michigan. If you have any questions on the programs offered by Michigan UIA, please leave a comment below and our team of researchers will be happy to reply any question you may have.

he Michigan Unemployment Insurance program encourages workers to accept any type of work they can, even if it is only part-time or temporary. However, many workers shy from accepting odd-jobs and part-time work when unemployed because they fear their unemployment insurance claim could be cancelled.

As long as you follow the rules set by Michigan’s UI regulations you can safely work and claim benefits. However, it is important to understand what these rules are and to claim your UI benefits correctly or your claim could be denied as well as face other disciplinary measures.

These rules can be summarized within one formula, which sets how much money you can earn before your benefits are cancelled. This formula makes sure it is financially worthwhile to work small job while searching for a full-time job. However, you will have to deduct a percentage of your earnings from your weekly benefits.

The Formula

The Michigan UI program allows workers receive UI benefits while they work, although their benefits will be deducted 50 cents for every dollar they make. However, once your total income (including UI benefits and your income) reaches 150 percent of your weekly benefit amount, your Ui benefits will be deducted dollar for dollar.

Example

Let’s illustrate how this would work in the real world. Imagine you receive $300 in UI benefits and earn $160 a week for temporary work. Up until $450 you would only have to deduct 50 cents on the dollar for your income. Once your income exceeds $450 your UI benefits will be deducted dollar for dollar. This means you can never earn more than 150 percent of your UI weekly benefit amount. Following our example above, you would receive a maximum UI benefit amount of $215.

This process can be summarized in the following instructions provided by the Michigan UIA set in 8 easy to follow steps.

WORKSHEET FOR CALCULATING WEEKLY BENEFITS
WHEN UNEMPLOYED WORKER HAS EARNINGS IN THE WEEK

A
Enter the unemployed worker’s weekly unemployment benefit amount.
$300

B
Enter the amount of the unemployed worker’s gross earnings (before taxes) in the calendar week (Sunday through Saturday week). Round down to the nearest whole dollar.
$100

C
Divide "B" by "2".
$100 ÷ 2 = $50

D
Subtract "C" from "A". Round down to the nearest whole dollar. If the result is zero or less than zero, enter "0" as your answer.
$300 – $50 = $250

E
Add together "B" and "D."
$100 + $250 = $350

F
Multiply "A" by 1.5 (that is, 1½)
$300 x 1.5 = $450

G
Subtract "F" from "E". Round down your answer to the nearest whole dollar. If the result is zero or less than zero, enter "0" as your answer.
$350 – $450 = -$100
Enter "0"

H
Subtract "G" from "D". Round down your answer to the nearest whole dollar. The answer you get will be the amount of the unemployed worker’s unemployment benefit payment for the week.
$250 – 0 = $250

The United States in general, and the state of Michigan in particular, are experiencing a period of unprecedentedly high unemployment rates. This caused the federal government to introduce the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program and the Extended Benefits. As more and more workers are forced to apply for this program, more questions about the process and eligibility requirements of the system are being asked. We receive queries from many of our readers on Michigan’s EUC benefits. We include a sample of these questions and their answers below.

What is the federal law behind the EUC program?

That would be public law 110-252. This law allows a minimum of 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to all states. However, states with a high unemployment rate can qualify for up to 53 weeks.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for EUC benefits you must be unemployed due to no fault of your own and meet the requirements of Michigan’s UI state benefits system. You must have exhausted your UI benefits and still be fit and willing to work.

How much will I get?

You will receive the same weekly benefit amount you received when you were under the Michigan UI program. The current maximum weekly benefit amount is $362.

Do I still need to report my bi-weekly claims?

Yes you do. You choose whether to do this online, over the phone or by mail. Phone or online are the preferred methods. Mail claims are only allowed due to special circumstances.

When will the program end?

The last extension of the EUC program set the last week you can claim for EUC benefits till June 9, 2012. However, you will not be able to establish a tier 1 claim after December 31, 2011. Nevertheless, if you are already registered with the EUC program you can continue receiving payments (as long as you qualify) up until the last week of the program.

Who pays for EUC benefits?

All the costs of this program are covered by the Federal government. This means employers are not required to pay for this through their unemployment insurance and will not receive monetary determinations for applications to EUC benefits.

When should I apply?

Wait for the application to be sent by mail. You will receive a form when you are soon to run out of benefits, if you qualify for the program. If you have any question or problem call 1.866.500.0017.

This is the second part of our guide on Michigan EUC benefits. As we discussed in the previous article, many of our readers have enquired about the process of applying for EUC benefits. There are significant differences with the general system used to apply for Michigan State UI benefits which are important to understand.

First, the process for applying for EUC benefits begins with a written form which will be sent to you when you are close to ending your UI benefits. If you have less than 2 weeks left of your Michigan State unemployment benefits and still have not received a form informing you of your eligibility for EUC benefits and you feel (after reading this article) that you still qualify, contact one of the Michigan Employment Insurance Agency’s Problem Resolution Offices. We include below the contact details for Michigan’s UIA Problem Resolution Offices with Mapquest directions.

Problem Resolution Offices

Once you receive your form by mail you must fill it in and send it back to the address specified in the letter.

Requirements

- You must be unemployed. This may sound obvious, but some workers who have seen their hours reduced may apply for UI benefits without qualifying for EUC benefits. If in doubt, contact one of the PRO offices above.

- You must register with www.MichWorks.org.

- You must update your résumé with Michworks.

- You must make weekly benefit claims either online or overt the phone using MARVIN, Michigan’s automatic claim filing system. The process for this is similar to when you received UI benefits. Our next article will provide extra information on how you should file for EUC benefits using MARVIN. The toll free number you need to use is 1.866.638.3993 or you can click here to file online.

- You must be fit and willing to accept any employment you are qualified for.

If you meet these requirements your application for EUC benefits should be accepted. Again, if you have any issues with your application you can ask for assistance at one of the eight PRO offices in Michigan.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits are available to long-term unemployed workers in Michigan who do not find work after their initial state unemployment benefits (usually 26 weeks) expires. If you are in this situation you might wonder what you should do to apply for EUC benefits. We often receive this question, or a similar variation, from our readers. Take, for example, Mrs. Richardson’s query:

I received a letter from UIA two weeks ago stating that i was close to the ending of my benefit weeks and that i may qualify for an EXTENSION or EUC. I applied on line but never received an determination letter. A week later i received the same letter but has not received my determination. i do have my confirmation number.

What should Mrs. Richardson do? This article and the next will provide detailed directions you can follow to apply and qualify for EUC benefits in Michigan.

The Program

In Michigan (this varies somewhat from one state to another) the EUC program provides up to 53 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation. These payments will be similar to your initial unemployment insurance benefits with the Michigan Insurance Agency.Note these benefits are paid by the Federal government not by your employer employment insurance.

The program is divided into four tiers of 20 weeks, 14 weeks, 13 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively. Only states with high unemployment rates, such as Michigan, qualify for all four tiers.

How to Apply?

Unlike regular Michigan UI benefits, you do not apply for EUC online. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency will send you a notification by mail if you qualify for EUC benefits when they are close to exhausting their UI benefits.

You should fill in this application as soon as possible and return it to the address specified in the instructions. How soon you receive your EUC benefits will depend on if and when the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has this information, so please do not procrastinate. Fill in and send back this form as soon as possible.

In our next article we will provide a complete list of requirements for the EUC program. However, we would like to highlight two requirements many applicants fail to meet and that could jeopardize the chances of your application being accepted.

1) You must be registered with Michworks.org, the Michigan State work search website and your resume must be up-to-date. 

2) You must continue to file for your weekly EUC benefits over the phone, by using Michigan’s MARVIN system or online.

Our next article will provide a complete list of program requirements and contact details for the main unemployment insurance offices in Michigan.