Michigan unemployment benefits??

[Krischaser]

My husband and I both work for the same company that will be dissolving so we will be unemployed. I have been trying to learn about Michigan unemployment benefits. Like what is the max per week? Do you get paid each week? How do you get paid? How long are the benefits for now? We have insurance now and won't after this so any tips on how to get some health insurance would be great also. Any information would be great. I have worked all my life and this is new to us so we are trying to prepare. Thanks

 

[paladin]

Here's a link to Michigan's website that has all sorts of info on signing up for benefits, etc.

http://www.michigan.gov/uia

 

[Krischaser]

I've been here trying to research but most of the information is not available unless you are unemployed. If I'm reading it right.

 

[pixie921]

You'll get paid every two weeks. The max (without taxes taken out) is approx. $360 a week. You can file your claim online, but you're required to go to a Michigan Works office and put in a resume, which must be kept updated.

Every two weeks you can either log in or call in and report, and payment is issued the next day. You can have a check mailed to you, but they seem to prefer to issue ATM cards that you can use to withdraw your benefits. They're drawn on Chase banks. I'm not sure how long you can receive benefits currently, because my dh was only off for a month this last time.

When we needed our own insurance and couldn't afford COBRA five years ago, we went with healthinsurancegiant.com, which is based out of Keego Harbor. They're basically an insurance clearing house and helped connect us with a company that suited our needs. We had that insurance for five years until my dh got hired at his current company this past November.

Hope this helps a bit -- good luck with your situation!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

The max weekly benefit is $362, you recieve payments biweekly via a Debit Card or Direct Deposit, I think a check in the mail is an option as well. You can get benefits for a year, after that you may be able to get an extension for 20 more weeks I think. As for health insurance we are doing Cobra using the Subsidy that Obama approved.

 

[yoopermom]

As someone who's been on it for nine months now, all I can say is plan on LONG wait times to talk to a human being if you need to call in for anything. Last week I called to check on my extension, and got the "call back later message" or 'all lines are busy" for HOURS. (Thank God for redial!) Document who you do talk to, when, and what they say, because I've got different answers from different people as well (I don't blame them, I don't think the state is hiring enough people, or training them well). Anything you do on the computer, print out.

I do direct deposit, and when I call in on Monday (my assigned hour is 5-6) I usually see the $$ deposited on Wednesday or Thursday. If I forget, and have to call in during the general time on Thurs or Fri, I often don't have my d.d. until the next Tues/Weds. I always get it, but it's not very "direct"!

Good luck and hang in there.

Terri

 

[southcarolinagirl]

Check out this site, lots of info and great people!

http://unemployed-friends.forumotion.com/

 

[Krischaser]

Thanks this is really helping.

 

[RangerPooh]

My dad is currently on Mi unempoyment. He does have to call in every other week at a scheduled time and receives his money deposited onto a VISA card. The first few weeks the pay was not on time, but that might have ben becuase he was new to the system. With Michigan you do get extensions which is nice considering the economy there.

When I knew that my job was ending I did go into the loca Michigan Works building and met with a few people about doing the school option. If you are interested in returning to school they will pay a portion of your education costs at approved colleges for approved programs. You ahve to attend a few different meetings/classes but it can be worth it. Plus while you are in the program you don't have to submit job applications weekly and I believe that you still receive your unemployment benefits.