LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Unemployment Agency has extended unemployment insurance benefits under the Federal Extended Benefits program.
The extension will allow for up to 59 weeks of unemployment benefits to those impacted by economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said Thursday.
Federal Extended Benefits pays federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits and is implemented by the UIA.
It’s in place during period of high unemployment to workers who have exhausted their basic entitlement to regular benefits, giving up to 20 weeks of additional benefits up to a maximum of 26 weeks, as well as up to 13 weeks of pandemic emergency benefits.
“The Extended Benefit program will provide a much-needed safety net for Michiganders who have exhausted their current benefits and are still dealing with the long-term effects of unemployment due to COVID-19,” UIA Director Steve Gray said.
Eligibility for the program gets determined the same way as regular unemployment benefits, meaning claimants need to be unemployed or underemployed and be able to work and available for work.
The program’s weekly benefit amount is the same that the individual received for regular state unemployment insurance.
Individuals will need to continue filing their bi-weekly certification and do not need to complete a separate application.
About $23.9 billion in unemployment benefits have been paid out to date since March 15, the agency said.
96 percent of claimants get paid at least once.