Unemployment Extended Benefits program ends April 17

Due to the State of Michigan’s lower unemployment rate, the U.S. Department of Labor notified the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency to confirm that the state’s Extended Benefits (EB) program will no longer be payable after the week ending April 17, 2021. Extended Benefits are available when a Michigan’s total unemployment rate averages 6.5% or higher for three consecutive months.

The EB program goes into effect when the unemployment rate is high and provides an additional 13-20 weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits and other extension programs.

“Fortunately, with the federal extensions that were implemented on March 27, claimants who were on the Extended Benefits program most likely will be able to receive benefits through other federal programs such as Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), said Liza Estlund Olson, acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Michigan has paid approximately $419M in Extended Benefits since high unemployment rates triggered the Extended Benefits program. The agency has begun notifying the 16,000 claimants currently receiving Extended Benefits to ensure they are aware that the week ending April 17 is the last payable week for these benefits.

If a claimant who was receiving Extended Benefits cannot establish a new, regular claim, or is not entitled to PEUC or PUA benefits, the claimant is no longer eligible to receive unemployment benefits.

Other state assistance programs are available for Michiganders who need assistance with making ends meet. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, claimants can apply for healthcare coverage, food and cash assistance and other assistance program as well as find other helpful state and local resources through the MI Bridges site, www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Michiganders looking for employment are encouraged to visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at MiTalent.org for a listing of more than 77,000 available jobs. The Michigan Works! system has service centers across Michigan with free job search resources including workshops, virtual job fairs, or career exploration and training. Anyone looking for a job can call 800-285-WORKS (9675) or go online to michiganworks.org.