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.