February 3, 2012 – The Extended Benefit (EB) program will end as Michigan’s jobless numbers are below the level required by federal law to continue the EB program. Michigan fell below the required level on January 28, 2012.
The EB program provides up to 20 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who exhaust their state and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. The weekly benefit amount is the same amount as what the individual received in state benefits. The EUC program remains unaffected by this change.
Based on data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan no longer meets the criteria to remain in the EB program. By law, when a state no longer qualifies for EB, there is a three week phase-out period after which no further EB payments can be made.
Michigan will conclude its EB payable period with payment for week ending February 18, 2012.
Approximately 29,500 unemployed workers in Michigan could potentially be affected by the loss of the EB program. These are individuals who are currently on EB and those who could exhaust all of their benefits on the federal EUC extension before the end of this month and then will be unable to apply for EB. The state unemployment agency is in the process of notifying those in the Extended Benefit program that benefits will cease for everyone receiving EB effective with payment for week ending February 18, 2012.
Unemployed workers with online web accounts with the UIA can check their “Benefit Payment History” for information about their remaining weeks of benefits. Workers who have not established online accounts can call MARVIN at 1-866-638-3993 and press option 2.
Additional information about the end of EB will be posted on the UIA website (www.michigan.gov/uia) and available through pre-recorded updates on the agency’s new toll-free unemployment update line, 1-800-638-3995. In addition, the agency has established a toll-free telephone number (1-866-MI-HELPS) for people to call for pre-recorded information about the extension program and their remaining benefits. For information regarding additional resources for health care, family support, housing, and more, individuals can visit www.michigan.gov/helpinghand.
Unemployed workers should also visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at http://www.mitalent.org to obtain information regarding job and training opportunities for those still unemployed.
For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/michiganLARA, “Like” us on Facebook or find us on YouTube www.youtube.com/michiganLARA.
