Michigan quietly flipped the script on unemployment this week, rolling out a bipartisan overhaul that touches just about everyone in the system. People on benefits now have to hustle a little harder to prove they are looking for work, survivors of domestic violence have an important protection back on the books, and employers get more flexibility to trim hours instead of cutting staff loose. The updates started last Friday and continue into the week of July 19, reshaping how certifications, appeals and repayments are handled.
Work-search rules tighten for claimants
Beginning the week of July 19, anyone receiving unemployment benefits must report at least three work-search activities each week when they certify for benefits, up from just one under the old rules. Translation: no more coasting by on a single job contact. Skipping those entries when you certify can shut off payments or trigger repayment demands, according to Detroit Labor and Economic Opportunity.
Domestic-violence exception restored
Starting last Friday, workers who left a job because of domestic violence may again qualify for unemployment benefits if they meet the agency’s other eligibility rules. Lawmakers and advocates say the shift restores protections that were available temporarily during the pandemic, Crain's Detroit reported.
Work Share gives employers new levers
Also, beginning the week of July 19, the state expanded its Work Share program so participating employers can cut weekly hours across a broader range while workers collect partial unemployment to cushion the pay cut. Legal analysts note that the change, part of Public Act 238, is built to keep trained staff on the books during short downturns instead of sending them to the unemployment line, giving businesses another tool besides layoffs.
Appeals, waivers and where to get help
As of last Friday, both claimants and employers can bundle related appeal issues into a single hearing before an administrative law judge, cutting down on repeat trips through the system. Anyone ordered to repay improperly collected benefits can now apply for up to four financial-hardship waivers per year. For help navigating it all, the Unemployment Insurance Agency is steering people to the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), its plain-language Claimant Roadmap and its customer-service line at 1-866-500-0017, according to Detroit Labor and Economic Opportunity.
What this means for Michiganders
The changes stem from bipartisan legislation, Public Act 238 of 2024, that also restored a 26-week maximum and adjusted benefit levels, analysts say. In practical terms, people on unemployment need to make sure they are logging three meaningful job contacts every certification week, and employers may want to take a fresh look at whether a Work Share plan can help them ride out short slowdowns without losing experienced staff.
