UIA ready to assist federal workers impacted by government shutdown

Federal workers whose jobs are affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown may be eligible to receive state unemployment benefits. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has created a webpage with helpful guidance for navigating the unemployment filing process, searching for work, and how to access community resources.

Federal workers who have been furloughed or let go can begin their unemployment application process at the Resources for Terminated Federal Employees webpage, which can be found at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.

"As many federal workers face layoffs and job uncertainty, UIA is ready to help," UIA Director Jason Palmer said. "We have created a webpage that explains what you need to know about filing for unemployment and highlights resources outside of UIA that may be helpful to families when they lose a paycheck due to the federal government shutdown."

Furloughed federal workers should be aware that under the U.S. Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, if workers receive back pay for the time they were off due to the shutdown they will need to repay any unemployment benefits they received.

In addition, federal workers who accepted the deferred resignation program are considered to have separated voluntarily from their federal employment. Individuals who leave work voluntarily must have had good cause to do so to avoid being disqualified from receiving unemployment.

The Resources for Federal Employees webpage features the innovative, easy-to-follow UIA Claimant Roadmap, which explains how to file for unemployment using the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). MiWAM is available 24 hours a day every day; log in at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Applying for benefits using MiWAM is the quickest and most efficient way to access unemployment. If approved for benefits, workers can also use MiWAM to certify their work searches every two weeks, report their job status, and confirm whether they meet work eligibility requirements.

Federal employees affected by the shutdown can apply for unemployment if:

• Their last official duty station was in Michigan.
• They are a Michigan resident and the last official duty station was outside the United States.
• They are a Michigan resident, separated from federal employment, and then subsequently worked in non-federal employment in Michigan.

UIA's federal employee resources webpage also includes links to Michigan Works!, the Pure Michigan Talent Connect jobs database, Workforce Development services, Michigan Reconnect scholarship program, and other job and community resources.

While UIA is a federally funded program, the agency continues to provide the public with fast, fair, and fraud-free customer service despite the government shutdown. Workers can file claims; benefits will be paid; and Local Offices, online chats, and phone staff are available.

Besides the Claimant Roadmap, UIA offers workers other tools that make their unemployment journey easier:

• A new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA for quick and accurate answers whether using either a desktop or mobile device.
• Online Coaching Sessions led by UIA staff on topics such as repaying overpaid benefits, 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.
• Phone, virtual, or in-person appointments, which can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Answers to frequently asked questions, toolkits, and resources at Michigan.gov/UIA. A library of helpful instructional videos is available on YouTube.
• The Advocacy Program provides no-cost legal help with appeals of UIA redeterminations.
• The UIA Economic Dashboard, which tracks local and statewide trends in unemployment insurance at Michigan.gov/UIAEconomicDashboard.

Need help or have questions about a claim?

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

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

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.

Contact us: 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TTY service is available at 1-866-366-0004.