Latest news with #MichiganUnemploymentInsuranceAgency
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan unemployment benefits to increase as much as $84 a week for new claims
Michigan workers who file unemployment claims starting April 2 will see noticeably higher benefit amounts and a longer claim period as compared to recent limits, based on a new law that is taking effect. This effort marks the first increase in the weekly maximum benefits in over 20 years, according to Friday's announcement from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The new law also extends the number of weeks someone is eligible to request benefits on a claim from the current maximum 20 weeks to a maximum 26 weeks. "The increases in benefits and weeks will put extra money into the pockets of thousands of Michiganders at a time when they need it the most," Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said, citing a spinoff impact to local businesses as unemployed workers spend the benefit funds. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law in December, but the Michigan legislature did not permit immediate implementation. As a result, the earliest date the changes could take effect is April 2. Each person's weekly benefit is calculated based on eligibility at the date of filing. The increase pushes the maximum weekly benefit up by $84 a week from the existing $362 a week to $446 a week for the remainder of 2025. The maximum weekly benefit will then go to $530 in 2026 and $614 in 2027. In addition, the amount for each dependent claimed in an unemployment benefits case will go from the current $6 a week to $12.66 for the remainder of 2025. The dependent benefit will be $19.33 each in 2026 and $26 each in 2027. Those receiving unemployment benefits can claim up to five dependents when they file a claim. Those amounts do include taxes, as recipients can choose whether to take taxes out at the time of unemployment checks are issued or settle at tax time. Further adjustments starting in 2028 will be automatic, based on the national Consumer Price Index. That being said, there are some special rules that apply to anyone who started a Michigan unemployment claim between Jan. 1 and April 2. The state labor department explained that the Unemployment Insurance Agency will review active claims that were filed between Jan. 1 and April 2, and make retroactive determinations to see who would otherwise have been eligible for more money during that time. If someone is eligible for a retroactive increase, the Unemployment Insurance Agency will pay out that difference. There will be no retroactive change to the number of benefit weeks that someone can file for. The new 26-week range only applies to new claims filed April 2 or later. Those who are receiving unemployment benefits or applying for the first time should check their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account regularly for updates and to make sure their address and bank account information is current.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Approval of $55M Michigan class-action lawsuit involving unemployment payments delayed a month
The Brief A judge has delayed the final hearing to approve a $55 million class-action lawsuit dealing with unemployment benefits paid out to residents About 23,000 Michigan residents can expect on average of a $1,400 settlement from the case Affected parties include those who protested the state clawing back benefits it believed it improperly paid out without determining if individuals properly filed an appeal (FOX 2) - A judge has delayed the final hearing to sign off on a $55 million settlement tied to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency's improper clawing back of pandemic-era funds paid out to citizens. Tens of thousands of Michigan residents were impacted by the UIA's decision and will have to wait a month before the class-action lawsuit's settlement is approved. Big picture view More than 23,000 Michigan residents who applied for unemployment benefits due to the Covid pandemic were wrongly asked by the labor department agency to repay the funds. The UIA failed to determine whether the claimant who protested the decision to pay back money had submitted the appeal correctly - or at all. As part of a settlement tied to the class-action lawsuit, Saunders V Unemployment Ins. Agency, the state will not admit responsibility for the case. In exchange, those part of the lawsuit will receive on average $1,400 from the state. Judge Brock Swartzle from the Michigan Court of Claims will decide when the money should be sent to plaintiffs in the case. The backstory At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, public health measures that ordered businesses closed in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 led to a surge in unemployment in Michigan. As hundreds of thousands of workers were sent home, the UIA saw a surge in claims for unemployment benefits, overwhelming the agency and leading to millions of dollars being wrongly paid out. Over the following months, the UIA attempted to retrieve some of the wrongly-paid-out funds - sometimes doing so without determining whether appeals from beneficiaries had been properly submitted. Where things stand The deadline for residents to join the lawsuit has passed. As of Dec. 20, 2024, an independent claims administrator is no longer accepting new participants. Judge Swartzle has scheduled the final hearing to approve the settlement for April 24, 2025 at 1 p.m. Anyone past of the lawsuit can attend the hearing either virtually or in-person to address their concerns. The hearing will take place at the Michigan Court of Appeals courtroom at 925 W. Ottawa Street in Lansing. The Source Previous reporting and a press release from the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
