Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has changed names many times throughout the years. It started in 1937 as the Michigan Unemployment Compensation Commission, then became the Michigan Employment Security Commission, after that the Michigan Employment Security Agency and the Bureau of Workers’ & Unemployment Compensation. Now it is called the Unemployment Insurance Agency. What hasn’t changed is the purpose of this organization: to provide a source of income to unemployed workers while they search for work.

A question we have been asked by many workers, unemployed and employed alike, is ‘How long do you have to file for unemployment?’

This is a good question because to answer it you must understand how Michigan’s UIA calculates benefits entitlements.Each state has authority to determine eligibility and benefit payment procedures for its unemployment agency, so it is important to look at the regulations that determine Michigan’s UIA to get a clear answer.

However, before we begin to answer this question, you need to understand two important terms: what a base year or period is and what a high quarter wage is. A base period, or year, is composed of the previous 52 weeks from the date you make your unemployment claim. Michigan requires unemployed workers to show a previous attachment to the workplace to qualify for UI benefits. In other words, to qualify you must have paid a minimum amount of unemployment insurance. This minimum is determined by your high quarter wages. A high quarter is the quarter (set of three months starting from January) you earned the most money. Because, unemployment insurance is determined by wages, the state of Michigan has determined unemployed workers must have high quarter wages of at least 388.06 times the state minimum hourly wage. This translates to $2,871 for benefit years starting after April 1st 2009. Also, your base period (previous 4 quarters or 52 weeks) must contain at least 1.5 times the wages you received in your high quarter.

So in short, once you lose your job and are unemployed, you must apply for unemployment before you no longer qualify for UI benefits. If your previous four quarters do not include a quarter where you earned $2,871 or more, and your total base period does not reach $4,307, you may not qualify for UI benefits.

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