Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Who To Contact For Unemployment Issues In Michigan

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Small Craft Advisory From Fri : 00 Am Est Until Sat : 00 Pm Est

Unemployment filing issues continue, identity verification is slowing up some

Weather Alert

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNINGTO 10 PM EST SATURDAY......GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAYMORNING...* WHAT...During the Small Craft Advisory, expect sustained windsup to 27 knots from the southwest with gusts up to 34 knots.The largest significant waves will be 4 feet with a potentialmaximum wave height of 5 feet. During the Gale Watch, expectsustained winds up to 24 knots from the west with gusts up to34 knots. The largest significant waves will be 3 feet with apotential maximum wave height of 4 feet.* WHERE...Inner Saginaw Bay SW of Point Au Gres to Bay Port MI.* WHEN...During the Small Craft Advisory, the maximum winds areexpected around 3 PM EST Saturday with the largest wavesexpected around 1 PM EST Saturday. During the Gale Watch, themaximum winds are expected around 2 AM EST Sunday with thelargest waves expected around PM EST Saturday.* IMPACTS...Strong winds can cause hazardous waves which couldcapsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possiblehazardous conditions.  Remain in port, seek safe harbor, altercourse, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and waves.& & 

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How Do I Report A Michigan Unemployment Fraud

Unemployment fraud, including identity theft, is a significant criminal act that jeopardizes Michigans unemployment insurance programs integrity. Jobless benefits may be kept out of the hands of people who need them the most due to fraudulent claims.

You can report fraud online or contact the UIA Customer Service Hotline at 866-500-0017 if you suspect someone of exploiting Michigans unemployment insurance program.

Where Can I Get Help With My Unemployment Benefits If I Have Additional Questions

If you have a question or problem with your claim, call our toll free customer service line at 1-866-500-0017 TTY customers call -1-866-366-0004Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You may also schedule an appointment to speak with a Customer Service Agent. Select the date, time, and type of appointment you would like to schedule.

  • Telephone appointments and virtual appointments are available for customers with specific claim issues.

  • Virtual appointments utilizing voice to text closed captioning are available for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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People Shared Concerns Frustrations

Kayla Clarke, Senior Web Producer

LANSING, Mich. Michigans unemployment director was in Lansing on Tuesday as lawmakers demanded answers for everything thats gone wrong with the system.

The issues include rampant fraud, claims being denied and more. Tuesday was an opportunity to hear whats working with the system and whats not.

People who are frustrated with the Unemployment Insurance Agency also had a chance to share their stories. Some said they were frustrated with slow service or no service.

Many were upset that the UIA required more than 650,000 to file recertification after the UIA asked questions that were not previously accepted by the Department of Labor.

Unemployment Identity Theft And Unemployment Fraud

Michigan Unemployment Debit Card / Michigan Unemployment Debit Card ...

Unemployment insurance fraud related to identity theft occurs when someone uses personal identifying information belonging to another individual to obtain unemployment benefits to which he/she is not entitled. The University of Michigan is one of many employers targeted for fraudulent unemployment claims by criminal enterprises. The university is working with the State of Michigan UIA Fraud Investigation Unit to help identify and mitigate fraudulent activity.

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If You Disagree With A Determination

If you disagree with a determination, you can protest and ask the UIA to look at your claim again. For example, you might want to protest if the determination says you didnt meet the wage requirements. Or you might want to protest if you think you deserve more benefits than it says.

The UIA must get your written protest within 30 days of when the determination was issued. If the UIA doesnt receive your protest within 30 days, you must show good cause why it was late. Good cause can be very hard to prove. If you cant show good cause the determination will become final.

You can make your written protest by mail or online. To submit online, use your Michigan Web Account Manager. Visit the UIAs website for instructions. To mail your protest, send it to:

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

You may want to speak with a lawyer before sending your protest to the UIA. Read the section below for more information on finding legal help.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance Contact Information

Above are our top recommendations for how to contact Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance, including their top phone number and live chat options. Below you can compare and contrast the 2 ways to contact Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance by looking at which ones are the fastest and which ones other customers recommend the most for solving Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance customer service issues as reported to us by the 50 million or so customers that come to GetHuman each year and share their experiences. You can contact Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance across the following mediums: Phone.

Phone number / contact

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Information You Need Before You Apply

When you apply for unemployment, you will need all of the following:

  • Your social security number

  • A mailing address, including zip code and county

  • Your driver’s license or state ID number

  • The names and addresses of all your employers during the past 18 months

  • The dates of employment and wages paid by each employer during the past 18 months

  • If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your alien registration number and the expiration date of your work authorization

  • Your personal identification number from any past unemployment claims

Report Fraudulent Claim Or Identity

185,000 Michiganders have non-monetary issues preventing unemployment payments

If you have found your company or employee is a victim of UI fraud or Identity Theft, there are several ways to report to UI:

  • Report fraud online at www.michigan.gov/uia and select the Report Fraud or Report Identity Theft
  • Complete the Statement of Identity Theft . You may submit the form by uploading it to your MiWAM account by clicking Send Unemployment a Message. You may also mail to Unemployment Insurance Agency, PO Box 169, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, or by fax at 517-636-0427

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What If I Quit

In most cases, you are not eligible if you voluntarily leave your work.

If you quit for good cause, though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes a good cause, and you can make your case for receiving benefits.

You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because policies and terms differ from state to state.

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Appealing Unemployment Compensation Repayment Orders

On Behalf of NachtLaw, P.C. | Apr 12, 2022 | Firm News |

Michigans unemployment compensation agency has turned against the people who need it most. Hundreds of thousands of claimants, who made truthful applications, are being ordered to repay tens of thousands of dollars to the state the very sums they needed to survive during the pandemic. Even as they try to navigate their way through their MiWAM online accounts and understand the confusing repayment notices, the Unemployment Agency is sending notices of garnishment of Michigan tax returns and wages.

While many attorneys are helping those with these issues, not everyone can be represented. Here is a second roadmap to supplement the first one we posted a year ago, which you should read first. That previous blog, Roadmap to help you with unemployment repayment issues, is found here.

How to Appeal on Your Own

First, order a copy of your entire file from the Unemployment Agency. Simply send an email to it usually arrives within a few days. **IMPORTANT** DO NOT send any social security numbers through email. Use only your full name and UIA claim number.

However, do not wait for the file if timeliness is an issue. Normally you have 30 days to appeal a negative decision, so get to work!

Make sure you appeal each and every notice you receive that you disagree with. Submit the appeal in all three of the following ways: fax, mail, and upload to your MiWAM account.

Grounds for Appeal

Late Appeals

  • contradictory notice
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    Furloughed /lay Off Employees Reopening Claim

    FAQ Reopening an Existing Claim:

    • Do not create a new account. Use your same MiWAM username and password you used previously. · Visit Michigan.gov/uia for instructions if you forgot your MiWAM password.
    • Reopen your claim during the first week of unemployment or reduced work hours or wages.
    • Have your Employer Account number or Federal Identification Number
    • Payments will be made using the same payment method previously selected.
    • If you previously had a Bank of America card, the funds will be added to the card.
    • If you no longer have the BOA card, or have a problem with your existing card, contact Bank of America at 1-866-436-1964 or .
    • To change your payment method, click the Claimant Services tab then click Modify Benefit Payment Method.
    • · Be sure to read and respond to all requests for information to avoid payment delays.
    • · When certifying for benefits, be sure to report your gross earnings in the week in which they were earned, not when you were paid.
    • · After youve completed your claim, a Confirmation page will display the date of your next certification.

    Reopen or File Your Claim Online with MiWAM at Michigan.gov/uia. Questions? Contact UIA Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017 or Chat with an agent using MiWAM.

    Former Claims Manager For Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency Sentenced In Covid

    How To Check the Status of Michigan Unemployment Claim

    DETROIT – Jermaine Rose, a former lead claims examiner for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency , was sentenced to two years in federal prison today arising from his participation in a $1.5 million pandemic-related unemployment insurance fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

    Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge John Marengo of the United States Secret Services Detroit Field Office.

    Jermaine Rose pleaded guilty on April 22, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud arising out of his participation in a wide-ranging fraud scheme designed to provide Roses co-conspirators with pandemic unemployment insurance benefits to which they were not entitled.

    United States Attorney Ison stated Corrupt public servants compromise the ability of the government to function effectively and undermine confidence in all public programs. This prosecution reflects the seriousness with which my office takes corruption and fraud in the public sector as well as our commitment to prosecuting those who used a national crisis as an opportunity to defraud the public.

    According to court documents, Rose was working as a lead claims examiner for the MUIA in April 2020, and as such, had electronic access to the MUIA claims database. Rose could use his credentials to access and approve specific UI claims submitted to the agency.

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    Michigan Unemployment System Designed To Slow Payments Working All Too Well

    June 24, 2021: Michigan unemployment agency resumes in-person office visits

    LANSING Michigans failure to promptly pay benefits to thousands of residents who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic is driven in part by a computer system that state officials have known for years is faulty but failed to fix.

    As Michigans economy collapsed in March, the states unemployment website crashed, phone lines clogged and a controversial computer system flagged one-third of all claims for fraud, 540,000 of 1.7 million.

    That froze payments for weeks or months to jobless residents like Tonya Bosman, who said she tried to upload identity verification documents more than 30 times to prove she didnt commit fraud.

    It was a nightmare, said Bosman of Detroit, who lost her job as a server and had to ask for a rent extension after the state placed a stop payment order on her account. My landlord just had to deal with it. I told him I had no control of my money.

    Unemployment agencies across the country have been overwhelmed by record claims and targeted by international fraud rings in recent months, but in Michigan, the pandemic has exposed longstanding issues the state could have fixed earlier, according to court records, federal data and expert interviews by Bridge Michigan and its reporting partner, Outlier Media.

    Last year, 78 percent of improper benefit denials in Michigan were the result of inadvertent errors made by claimants, the highest rate in the nation.

    Do You Need Legal Advice About Your Unemployment Benefits

    If you have a question about whether or not you are eligible for unemployment benefits, or if you feel you have been wrongly denied, you may be able to get help from the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line. This is a free legal aid hotline. To find out if they can help you, apply online or call 1-888-783-8190 Monday – Thursday, 9am – 5pm, or Friday, 9am – 1pm.

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    State Information Data Exchange Makes Your Experience Easier

    The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has another way for employers to respond to requests for information. Its called the State Information Data Exchange System .

    SIDES is a single and secure point of contact between the UIA, participating employers and third-party administrators that allows the UIA to send and receive info electronically through SIDES E-Response fact-finding about separation, remuneration and pension issues. This program is used by employers around the country and is a great way to streamline communications within our agency.

    The UIAs MiDAS system creates a fact-finding request to the employer and the claimant when a separation or remuneration issue is identified during the initial or additional claim filing process or when an adjudication issue is opened through the Add Nonmonetary Issue application. If the employer or TPA is marked as a SIDES participant, MiDAS will invalidate the paper fact-finding letter to the employer and will send the request electronically through SIDES.

    City Of Detroit Economic Necessity Employees: Furloughed Workshare & Layoff

    The Rebound Detroit: Problems facing Michigan’s unemployment system

    Layoff/Furlough Employees: The employee is responsible to certify through MIWAM or Telephone with the Unemployment agency bi-weekly

    You can certify your benefits through your MiWAM account under your account alerts or by calling MARVIN at 1-866-638-3993. It takes 24-28 hours for your MiWAM account to update after certifying online or by phone.

    Workshare Employees: The City of Detroit will certify payments to Unemployment Agency every two weeks on behalf of the employees

    CONTACTS

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    Uia Extends Call Center Hours Adds Staff To Better Serve Customers

    This article is from Michigan.gov. The link to the original article is here.

    Contact: Jason Moon 517-282-0041

    The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is adding staff and hours to better serve an unprecedented increase in customers filing unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19. The UIA has extended call center hours by an hour every day 8 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and it remains open from 7 a.m. 2 p.m. on Saturday. Customers in the call center and online chat queues before closing time will have their calls or chats resolved that day.

    The UIA continues to increase call center resources and has nearly quadrupled staffing levels over the last several weeks. Normal staffing levels are around 130 employees. By March 30, approximately 300 staff were answering calls and by the end of this week, an estimated 500 employees will be dedicated to the call center. Hundreds of additional staff will be added to the call center in the coming weeks.

    Thank you to Michigans working families for their patience as the UIA continues to provide emergency financial assistance during this unprecedented increase in unemployment claims, said Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio. We continue to ramp up our services to make sure every eligible Michigander receives their benefits as quickly as possible and were asking workers to please reserve the phone lines for those who cannot go online or are having trouble with their account.

    Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance’s Best Toll

    This is Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance’s best phone number, the real-time current wait on hold and tools for skipping right through those phone lines to get right to a Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance agent. This phone number is Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance’s Best Phone Number because 2,646 customers like you used this contact information over the last 18 months and gave us feedback. Common problems addressed by the customer care unit that answers calls to 866-638-3993 include Eligibility question, Claims, Collecting benefits, Missed payments, File application and other customer service issues. Rather than trying to call Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance first, consider describing your issue first from that we may be able to recommend an optimal way to contact them via phone. In total, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance has 2 phone numbers. It’s not always clear what is the best way to talk to Michigan Unemployment Insurance Assistance representatives, so we started compiling this information built from suggestions from the customer community. Please keep sharing your experiences so we can continue to improve this free resource.

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    Unemployment Insurance Assistance And Resources Available

    As confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Michigan, many Michigan employers have been forced to temporarily layoff workers or scale back operations. If your business or facility is in this position, it is important to know that unemployment benefits will be available to most workers.

    The following resources may help you and your employees navigate the system and fulfill the requirements:

    The Chamber recognizes that many employers have concerns about the influx of claims outside their control will impact their UI tax rate long-term. We share your concerns and will be advocating that the state expand Executive Order 2020-9 to specify that all employers who are forced to suspend or layoff workers due to COVID-19 will not be charged for UI benefits or suffer higher UI taxes as a result of the pandemic. In addition, we are encouraging state leaders to request funding support from the federal government for the states UI Trust Fund to ensure the fund that pays benefits to unemployed workers is solvent and/or to pay COVID-19 related claims.

    If you need help with UI matters, please contact our FREE Unemployment Insurance Assistance Hotline at 586-412-0400, ext. 4000. Wendy Block, on Chamber staff, also may be able to help. She may be reached at .

    The following resources may help you and your employees navigate the system and fulfill the requirements:

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