Unemployment law changes this week: More work searches, domestic violence protection, expanded Work Share

Workers and employers should be aware of coming updates

Important changes in Michigan unemployment law are coming over the next week that will significantly impact unemployed workers and employers.

What is new?

• Those receiving benefits must complete and report more work search activities each week.
• Victims of domestic violence who leave their jobs will not be excluded from receiving benefits if they are otherwise eligible.
• Employers have greater flexibility to reduce worker hours while workers can make up lost pay with partial unemployment benefits.
• Some appeal cases can be combined into one hearing before a judge.
• People who must pay back improperly collected benefits can apply for up to four financial hardship waivers in a year.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) details these changes on a new webpage - Michigan.gov/UIALawChanges - that explains what unemployed workers and employers can expect from the changes that are part of bipartisan legislation signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

"It is important that Michiganders understand the changes ahead and how they affect their unemployment experience," said Jason Palmer, UIA director. "Together, these changes aim to create a more responsive system that is better aligned with the needs of today's workers and employers."

Increased work search requirement

Beginning the week of July 19, those who receive unemployment benefits must log at least three work search activities each week, an increase from one a week currently. 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 to log work searches - which is part of the requirement to certify for benefits every two weeks - is through your online Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Learn more about work search at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Domestic violence exception

Starting on Friday, 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 of the selectable separation reasons. This provision aligns Michigan with a growing number of states that have enacted unemployment protections for survivors of domestic violence.

Work Share Program hours

Beginning the week of July 19, employers who participate in the Work Share Program can reduce employee hours between 10 percent and 60 percent (it is currently 15 percent to 45 percent). Under Work Share, employers can retain skilled and trained employees while workers who have their hours reduced can keep their jobs and receive partial unemployment benefits to make up for some of their lost wages. Learn more about Work Share at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Combining cases for an appeal hearing

People who receive unemployment benefits and employers will be allowed to consolidate approved appeal cases into one hearing before an administrative law judge with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR). This provision allows multiple issues on the same claim to be resolved at the same time, avoiding the need to schedule different hearings. This option will be available beginning Friday, July 17, 2026. Learn more about protests and appeals at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Financial hardship waiver

If someone cannot afford to pay back benefits they should not have received, they will be able to submit up to four financial hardship waiver applications each year, an increase from just one every six months. The law change now excludes from calculations to determine eligibility for a waiver any social welfare or unemployment benefits received and wages they earn in the six months before applying. It also defines cash assets as more than $100,000 in checking and savings accounts. These changes begin Friday, July 17.

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.