Unemployed Michigan workers must now complete three weekly work search activities to receive benefits

Expanded requirement begins this week as part of bipartisan updates to Michigan's unemployment law

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is reminding workers that an increased work search requirement begins this week for unemployment benefits. Effective Sunday, July 19, 2026, those who receive unemployment benefits must log at least three work activities each week, an increase from one a week previously.

The change stems from bipartisan legislation (Public Act 238 of 2024) passed in December 2024 that updated Michigan's unemployment law (Michigan Employment Security (MES) Act).

"These are the most significant updates to Michigan's unemployment system in years - and every worker needs to understand what's changing," UIA Director Jason Palmer said. "While the increase may mean a bit more effort each week, it also opens more pathways back to stable employment."

To be eligible for benefits, workers must actively look for work and report their work search activities to the UIA, unless they have a waiver. Accepted activities include applying for jobs in person or online, attending job fairs, creating a profile or resume on a professional networking or job site such as MiTalent.org, or participating in online job search workshops or seminars. For a full list of activities, see this factsheet.

If someone does not conduct and report three work search activities each week as part of their certification for benefits then they won't be paid or may have to return benefits they were not supposed to receive.

The fastest and easiest way for those receiving benefits to report work searches while certifying is through their online Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

A detailed FAQ on the expanded work search requirement is available at Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges.

For more on what to report, how to report, and tips for recording work search activities, visit the Michigan.gov/UIA work search page.

Other changes to unemployment law in July

The increased work search is not the only change workers and employers will see implemented this month:

• Effective July 17, those who leave their job due to domestic violence may qualify for unemployment benefits if they meet all other eligibility requirements. When completing an application, claimants will see "domestic violence" as one the selectable separation reasons. This provision aligns Michigan with a growing number of states that have enacted unemployment protections for survivors of domestic violence.
• Effective July 17, unemployed workers and employers can request to have some appeal cases combined into one hearing before an administrative law judge.
• Effective July 17, people who must pay back improperly collected benefits can apply for a financial hardship waiver up to four times a year, a change from once six months.
• Effective July 19, employers using the Work Share program can reduce employee hours from 10 percent to 60 percent (the current range is 15 percent to 45 percent). This will allow employers to retain skilled, trained workers, and workers can collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for lost wages.

Companion bipartisan legislation signed into law in December 2024 (Public Act 173) increased the maximum weeks of benefits from 20 to 26, and prescribed changes in the maximum weekly benefit rate, which will increase from $530 today to $614 on Jan. 1, 2027. Beginning January 2028, changes in the maximum weekly benefit rate will be tied to the federal Consumer Price Index.

Find more about the unemployment law changes at Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges.

Solutions for Michigan workers, employers

UIA provides a variety of resources for those looking to file for unemployment or who may already be receiving benefits:

• UIA Claimant Roadmap. An easy-to-follow six-step guide to applying for and understanding benefits. Find it at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• New chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA. Powered by artificial intelligence, it provides quick and accurate answers to general unemployment questions. Access the chatbot using either a desktop or mobile device.
• Online Coaching Sessions. Led by UIA staff on topics such as filing a first-time claim, understanding a Monetary Determination letter, and the protest and appeals process. The First-time Filer Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
• Guidance for federal employees. A comprehensive list of resources for federal employees who have been terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• The Advocacy Program. Free legal help for workers and employers who have filed appeals of UIA redeterminations.
• New, modern user platform. MiUI will be easy to use, speed claims processing, and build on the agency's aggressive anti-fraud tactics. It will replace the decade-old MiWAM computer system used by workers to apply for benefits and employers to pay unemployment insurance taxes. For information, see Michigan.gov/MiUIUniversity.
• UIA Public Dashboards. Interactive displays provide a deep dive into underlying data and trends in unemployment insurance in Michigan as well as core metrics that measure UIA's success.
• Employer Help Center. This plain language guide answers employers' questions about unemployment tax, claim issues, and UIA programs. The Help Center can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter.

Need help with a claim or have questions?

Ask online: UIA's chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA can answer many questions.

Search online: FAQs, videos, toolkits, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Chat with us: Available through MiWAM Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Meet with us: Schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual meeting at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Talk with us: Claimant Customer Service - 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday. For TTY service, call 1-866-366-0004. Office of Employer Ombudsman - 1-855-484-2636, Option 4, Monday through Friday.