• UIA OFFERS TIPS FOR CONTACTING THE AGENCY
Agency also answers some commonly asked questions

• File an Unemployment Claim Online
File an unemployment claim using our convenient Internet Filed Claims service. The online application is available from 7:00 a.m. Monday to 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

• File Unemployment Claim By Telephone
You can file for unemployment benefits by telephone from anywhere in Michigan or North America. The state's unemployment insurance program has established a special toll-free telephone number for you to use in filing a new claim or reopening an established claim.

• UIA Online Services for Unemployed Workers
UIA is offering new services to unemployed workers. You can sign up for a web account with UIA. The web account allows you to choose, or change, your payment method selection, use MARVIN Online, and view your benefit payment history. Soon, other services will be added.

• Certify with MARVIN Online
Unemployment workers can now complete their biweekly certification through MARVIN (Michigan's Automated Response Voice Interactive Network), instead of calling the toll-free MARVIN telephone number. Workers claiming unemployment benefits are required to certify with MARVIN every other week in order to receive their biweekly unemployment benefit payment.

• UIA Online Services for Employers
Employers can perform a variety of UIA functions and access UIA account information on-line. Click on the UIA Online Services for Employers link for access to the services. The online services are available from 7:00 a.m. Monday to 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

• File an EUC or EB Extension
File an Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) claim or an Extended Benefit (EB) claim.

• Exhausting Unemployment Benefits:
Extended Benefits (EB) is the last extension program available in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Human Services offers a number of assistance programs to help individuals and families in need, including those who may soon exhaust their unemployment benefits.

• UIA Web Site and Forms Accessibility
Our web site has accessibility tools that allow visitors to enlarge the font or type size on web pages, as well as increase the magnification of our forms. Details inside.

• Michigan Unemployment Tax Credit
Contributing employers with positive experience account balances can now apply for the Michigan tax credit. Details inside.

• Resources for Displaced Workers
A new, 6.5-minute webcast features resources helpful to displaced workers. This presentation is designed to help displaced workers learn which programs you and your family may qualify for when your unemployment benefits have been exhausted. View this and other videos for unemployed workers here.

• Information About Federal Extensions 
Update July 22, 2010: New legislation has extended the June 2 expiration date of the federal extensions, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB), to November 30, 2010. Please click the link above for the latest information on these extension programs.

• Agency Webcasts
We have created many helpful video guides for our unemployed worker and employer customers, including a section on the Employer Web Account Manager. Some videos provide an overview of an agency program or service; others go into detail to help address your questions and concerns.

• The Many Ways to Contact UIA 
Customer service is important to the UIA. There are a lot of ways to reach us and we make them available to you on this handy new guide.

• Online Claim Filing Kit 
If you have lost your job and need to file for unemployment benefits, this Online Claim Filing Kit will help you with the filing process.

• Flyer & Fact Sheet About COBRA Benefits 
Lost your job and need help paying your COBRA premiums? If you were involuntarily terminated on or after September 1, 2008 and are not eligible for other health coverage (such as a spouse's health plan or Medicare), then you may be eligible for a 65 percent reduction of your COBRA premium for up to 9 months. If you didn't elect COBRA, you may have an additional opportunity to elect it now and take advantage of the premium reduction.

• Extended Benefits in Michigan, Fact Sheet 122 
During the week of January 10, 2009, Michigan's IUR surpassed 5.0 % and was 42% higher than same period for the prior two years. The week ending January 31, 2009, was the first week for which EB was payable. To be eligible for EB, workers must be unemployed or underemployed and have a benefit year ending on or after January 31, 2009.

• Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Fact Sheet 120 
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program includes up to 20 weeks of federally-funded extended unemployment benefits in all states, and because of Michigan's high unemployment rate, a second tier of EUC, providing up to an additional 13 weeks of benefits, are payable in the state. Thus, Michigan's unemployed workers may receive up to 33 weeks of federally-funded EUC assistance.

• UIA 2010 Employer Seminars
The Unemployment Insurance Agency is offering free seminars to acquaint employers with the unemployment insurance system in Michigan and recent changes with the UIA.

• Electronic Payments
Unemployed workers in Michigan can stop looking for their unemployment checks to be in the mail. We now offer unemployed workers a choice between two new electronic options for receiving their unemployment benefits: either direct deposit into workers' bank or credit union account or by debit card. These new methods for delivering unemployment benefits are faster, more secure and more cost efficient than mailed paper checks. The debit card and direct deposit options are now offered to newly unemployed workers as they apply for unemployment benefits.

• How to Inquire About Your Claim
If you have filed for unemployment benefits by Internet or telephone and have a question or problem with your claim, call our telephone filed claims number to inquire. The inquiry option is now available weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. (temporay extended hours), Eastern Time.

• Problem Resolution Offices - Need Help?
The UIA's six permanent Problem Resolution Offices (PROs) and two temporary PROs resolve customer problems and provide access to automated resources. PROs provide telephones and computers for customers who may not have access to a computer or telephone to file their claim. They also provide in-person help for problems with claims. PROs are open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (temporary extended hours) Eastern time weekdays, except state holidays.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 added two additional target groups to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit; the Unemployed Veteran and the Disconnected Youth. Qualified employees under these new target groups must begin work after December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2010. Please click on the Quick Link for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program for the specifics on these two new target groups.