Michigan Realtors® announced that the unemployment insurance application for independent contractors will be officially available starting Monday, April 13. The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) application is planned to be available on the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity website at www.michigan.gov/leo.
In order to handle the increased workload, Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has laid out a schedule for individuals submitting applications. The process is based on the First letter of your Last name, in accordance to the day of the week that is assigned to that letter (as shown below):
If you have already applied and been denied, there is no need to reapply. UIA will go back and review your application.
The UIA assures every eligible worker in Michigan who applies for unemployment benefits that they will receive them. The UIA will be accepting claims and benefit applications back-dated to reflect the date on which the claimant was laid-off due to COVID-19, beyond the previously established 28-day period ($600 federal payment is only retroactive back to March 28).
Helpful tips for applying online:
- Website load times will be slow. Click a link once, and if necessary, wait for the response without clicking again.
- Apply online during non-peak hours, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The 24-hour website operates faster when fewer people are on the site.
Visit www.michigan.gov/leo for more information.