This is the second part of our guide on Michigan EUC benefits. As we discussed in the previous article, many of our readers have enquired about the process of applying for EUC benefits. There are significant differences with the general system used to apply for Michigan State UI benefits which are important to understand.

First, the process for applying for EUC benefits begins with a written form which will be sent to you when you are close to ending your UI benefits. If you have less than 2 weeks left of your Michigan State unemployment benefits and still have not received a form informing you of your eligibility for EUC benefits and you feel (after reading this article) that you still qualify, contact one of the Michigan Employment Insurance Agency’s Problem Resolution Offices. We include below the contact details for Michigan’s UIA Problem Resolution Offices with Mapquest directions.

Problem Resolution Offices

Once you receive your form by mail you must fill it in and send it back to the address specified in the letter.

Requirements

- You must be unemployed. This may sound obvious, but some workers who have seen their hours reduced may apply for UI benefits without qualifying for EUC benefits. If in doubt, contact one of the PRO offices above.

- You must register with www.MichWorks.org.

- You must update your résumé with Michworks.

- You must make weekly benefit claims either online or overt the phone using MARVIN, Michigan’s automatic claim filing system. The process for this is similar to when you received UI benefits. Our next article will provide extra information on how you should file for EUC benefits using MARVIN. The toll free number you need to use is 1.866.638.3993 or you can click here to file online.

- You must be fit and willing to accept any employment you are qualified for.

If you meet these requirements your application for EUC benefits should be accepted. Again, if you have any issues with your application you can ask for assistance at one of the eight PRO offices in Michigan.

Learn how long you can download important forms from Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency's website.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency allows you to file your claims online or over the phone. It also provides a wealth of information on its website. This includes downloadable forms and instructions you can read in your own time without wasting standing in line. These forms allow you to manage all kinds of procedures ranging from providing Notice to Register for Work to Authorizing Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency to withhold taxes on your behalf. If you are new to the unemployment insurance agency these forms and procedures can be confusing. This article will describe the main online forms, provide links to download them and give brief instructions on how to use them.

Notice to Register for Work

If you do not have a definite day to return to work with your last employer within the next 120 days you must register for work with Michigan’s Talent Bank. To register you must place your resume on the MTB’s website 2 or 3 days before using MARVIN (Michigan’s automated response telephone system). There are two ways you can do this: 1) Online at www.michworks.org or 2) in person by delivering your paper application at any of Michigan Works! Service Centers. You can also call 1-800-285-WORK to ask for directions to the nearest center.

What You Need To File An Unemployment Claim Form

This form does not only, as the name indicates, provide a list of documents and personal information you must supply. It also helps you organize your information and record it in one place so you can easily and quickly file your claim, whether online or over the phone.

To fill in this form you will need your Social Security Number, your driver license number (or your State ID number), your mailing address, your telephone number (or that of someone who can get a message to you) and the method of payment you wish to use. You will also need to provide a full work history of your previous employers and their contact details, you earnings in the last base year (that is the first four quarters of the last five quarters). This information is required to receive unemployment benefits so it is worth setting aside the time to collect the information accurately.

Weekly Earnings Calculation Worksheet.

Use this form to declare your earnings during a week you are claiming for unemployment benefits. You can use this form to calculate your total earnings including tips, vacation and holday pay. Remember you cannot claim unemployment for weeks you work full time and you will have to deduct a percentage of your earnings from your benefits if you work part-time.

Income Tax Withholding Form

This form provides Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency with the authority to withhold your taxes for the IRS. This service guarantees you do not forget to save for your yearly taxes on benefits. The form withholds 10 percent of your benefits towards Federal Income Tax. You can also use this form to ask the Unemployment Insurance Agency to stop withholding tax from your check.

Learn how to use MARVIN

Many of our readers have expressed their frustration with Michigan’s UIA MARVIN. MARVIN stands for Michigan’s Automated Response Voice Interactive Network, and is the new system Michigan unemployed workers must use to process their unemployment benefits claims.

The complaints range from long waiting periods to being unable to process their benefits application. This article gives you a quick guide on how to use MARVIN and get your biweekly certification processed as quickly as possible, so you can get back to what you really want to do –find a job.

First a few words of warning.

Do not call MARVIN for someone else, or ask someone else to call for you. Do not lie when answering the questions MARVIN asks. If you are caught you will be accused of fraud and could be forced to pay back up to four times the benefits you received, go to prison and/or perform community service. Being unemployed is hard enough, don’t make things worse by trying to cheat the system. If you are physically unable to make the call ask a friend or family member to contact the unemployment office and explain your situation.

Unemployed workers must claim every two weeks in order to receive their benefits check. Once you have registered for unemployment benefits, it is compulsory to certify further claims using MARVIN.

General Instructions.

You will nee a touch tone phone (a phone with a touch pad, a rotary phone will not work)  to use MARVIN.

When answering questions remember that if you press “o” (zero) MARVIN will repeat the question. Press “1″ for YES and “9″ for NO.

Do not hang up until you hear MARVIN say “goodbye”. If you do, your certification might not get registered in the system and your check could be delayed.

STEP 1. Call MARVIN. 1-866-638-3993

STEP 2. Choose your language. Press 1 for English.

STEP 3. When asked if you are using a touch phone, press 1. If you don’t you will not be able to continue.

STEP 4. Press 1 to claim weeks of unemployment. If you need to complete the Eligibility Review Process, press 4. You can only do this Thursdays and Fridays.

STEP 5. Enter your SSN. If you mess up, simply press star and introduce your SSN again.

STEP 6. Enter your PIN. You will have chosen your PIN when you first registered for unemployment benefits.

STEP 7. You will now be asked a series of Yes and No questions. Answer accordingly. Yes (1) or No (9).

Question 9 will ask you if you earned any money for the week you are claiming. If you did you will be asked how much. Introduce the dollar amount, press star, introduce the cents and press star.

STEP 8. At the end of the process MARVIN will review the answers you provided. Make sure you the information is correct and press 1. If the information is not correct press 9. MARVIN will repeat your questions. Do not hang up until you have confirmed your information and MARVIN says Goodbye.

ALERT: You should investigate new health insurance since your last employer will no longer be paying for your health insurance.

The Michigan government has established a toll-free telephone number that can be accessed from anywhere in the United States. This number is specifically for filing for unemployment benefits claims whether new or re-opened cases. You can find it online or in a local telephone book.

If you have access to the Internet then filing for a unemployment benefits claim is even easier. Whether at home, the library or an Internet Cafe the claims office for your unemployment benefits is open 7:00 a.m. Monday to 7:00 p.m. Saturday. Here it is easy to work your way through filing a new claim or re-opening a previous case.

With Internet access you can find a wide range of extra services not available over the telephone. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency does not limit their service to filing claims by through offering other helpful services. By signing up with them on their website, you can access a growing number of unemployment benefits services for those seeking employment. They are available to both new accounts and re-opened cases.

As well as the unemployed, the Unemployment Insurance Agency has a section of help for the employer. You will be able to access and track your UIA payments and schedule and utilize other organizational tools. Your portal into the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s benefits begins at http://www.michigan.gov/uia/

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has a wealth of other beneficial information online to help you through a troubled time. Informative articles abound on everything from managing your unemployment benefits claim to updates and new policy notifications. Breaking news on government actions to reduce unemployment and create better working conditions for all.

Subscribing to the Michigan Employer Advisor Newsletter will help the business owner keep up with the latest tends and information to remain successfully operational.

Since fate can turn at any moment you can file an Emergency Unemployment Compensation (Extension) to provide quick, emergency aid until the regular process kicks in. Access to application for Emergency Aid is also easily found online for the citizens of Michigan through the UIA website.

One of the primary services run through all the agencies is the automated labor exchange service called Michigan’s Talent Bank. Depending on the needs of a local area you will find adult, youth and dislocated workers programs. The service centers provide various welfare reform programs in addition to their unemployment office services.

For a guide to the full listing of benefits available as well as the address and phone number of whichever Michigan Works! Agency unemployment office nearest your location, set your browser to http://www.michiganworks.org/page.cfm/14/ and download the PDF (portable document file) guide to over a hundred locations throughout the State.

Through the development of the Michigan Works! Association, the State has centralized both the public and private sectors of government and business so that a more effective and smooth program is available to the citizens of Michigan. Replacing older and more cumbersome unemployment office systems in 1987, Michigan Works! has been recognized as the most innovative plan of its type in the nation.

Coupling the basic relief provided by an unemployment office with many career advancement services and education, Michigan Works! helps make the workers of Michigan even more valuable in their next job. If you are currently employed, you may find that by checking with Michigan Works!, you can prepare yourself for an even better job or career in the future.

Once there, you can browse through the “Workers” category and find how to file claims as well as updates and benefits available. There is a user-friendly interface called “MARVIN” that guides you through the various stages of maintaining your account and claims information.

Accessing michigan.gov/uia is a valuable asset for the Michigan business owner. Through their online portal you can interface with your account and update necessary information directly without fear of outside delays or oversight. The Michigan employer can file the required routine reports as well as submit payroll tax data or file a protest claim if needed. The Employers section also posts the latest changes in law that could affect you and your business.

There is a complete database of forms available at michigan.gov/uia for the Michigan worker to access and peruse. You can obtain the required forms quickly and easily to make filing a claim for benefits with a click of your computer’s mouse. With the data stored in your personal account you do not have to worry about losing important documents lying around your office.

michigan.gov/uia also maintains an open policy about their efforts. You will find in the “Publications” section of the website, a brief history of the organization. Also available are reports and statistics on Contribution Rates and Payouts, weekly statewide averages and other information ranging as far back as their beginnings in 1936.

As a final resource of the michigan.gov/uia to keep the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency in peak condition to aid their clients is an easy to use, confidential form to report any instances of fraud you become aware of. Those who cheat the system and draw benefits they do not deserve weaken the system and drain funds away that should have gone to some in true need. Reporting fraud helps you be a part of keeping the UIA effective for all workers in Michigan.

So, from questions about tax payments to updating your claims account, the michigan.gov/uia website is an essential resource that should be well used by anyone who wishes to get what they deserve in their working life.