UIA Update: Michigan Activates Federal Extended Benefits

Allows for up to 59 weeks of unemployment benefits to those impacted by economic uncertainty created by COVID-19 

LANSING- The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today announced that the unemployment insurance benefits period has been lengthened under the Federal Extended Benefits (EB) program. The UIA implements the EB program that pays unemployment benefits during periods of high unemployment to workers who exhausted their basic entitlement to regular state and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. EB is a program that provides an extension of benefits to those who can establish/have established a state unemployment claim.

EB provides up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to workers who have exhausted their regular benefits (26 weeks maximum) and PEUC (13 weeks). Primarily federally funded, the EB program kicks in when the state’s unemployment rate averages 8% or higher for three consecutive months.

"The Extended Benefit program will provide a much-needed safety net for Michiganders who have exhausted their current benefits and are still dealing with the long-term effects of unemployment due to COVID-19," said UIA Director Steve Gray.
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Eligibility for EB will be determined in the same manner as regular unemployment benefits. Claimants must be unemployed or underemployed and be able to work and available for work. The program’s weekly benefit amount is the same as the individual received for regular state unemployment insurance. Claimants can expect to be notified through their chosen communication method of the extension. They must continue to file their bi-weekly certification and will not need to complete a separate application.

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