Deadline Nears to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Benefits if Job Was Lost due to August Storms

Residents in 9 Michigan counties have until March 27, 2024, to apply if severe weather interrupted work

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) reminds residents in nine Michigan counties of an upcoming deadline to apply for disaster unemployment assistance if they lost work due to severe weather last summer.

Benefit applications must be completed and mailed by March 27, 2024, if your job was interrupted by tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, or Wayne counties from Aug. 24-26, 2023.

President Joe Biden approved the disaster declaration for the nine counties in February with funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

To file a claim, download this application packet.

Mail applications to:

Unemployment Insurance Agency Multi-Service Center 9023 Joseph Campau Hamtramck, MI 48212

Applicants could receive up to 50 weeks of benefits if their continued unemployment resulted from the disastrous weather. Eligibility will be determined on a weekly basis.

Criteria to apply for disaster aid

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

Applied for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
Did not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state.
An unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the president.
A U.S. national or a qualified alien.
Worked or was self-employed, or was scheduled to begin work or self-employment in one of the nine counties.
Establish that the work or self-employment that can no longer be performed was a primary source of income.

Applicants must also meet one or more of these criteria:

Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment.

Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury from the disaster.
Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household as a direct result of the disaster.
Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government in immediate response to the disaster.
Was to begin work and no longer has a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the disaster.

Required documentation for DUA

To file for disaster assistance, individuals must provide:

Social Security number.
The name and address of their last employer or prospective employer.
Proof that they were employed or self-employed or were scheduled to begin (or resume) a job or self-employment when the disaster occurred.
Proof of wages must be submitted within 21 days of filing a claim and could result in a higher weekly assistance amount.

A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required. Self-employed individuals should provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F.

New ways UIA helps workers

The UIA provides a number of handy resources to make it easier for claimants to apply for regular unemployment insurance benefits, including:

The UIA Claimant Roadmap, a six-step guide to applying for and understanding your benefits. The roadmap is an easy-to-follow, user-friendly resource that can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
Online First-time Filer Coaching Session for web-based guidance from UIA staff who explain in a group setting the steps that are needed to complete an accurate application for benefits. Sign up at Michigan.gov/UIA.
The UIA Community Connect program is an equity initiative that partners with local groups throughout the state to provide guidance for workers from underserved groups who have faced barriers when filing for jobless benefits.
New advocates have been hired as part of the Advocacy Program and their pay increased. Advocates prepare workers and employers for appeal hearings of UIA determinations before an independent administrative law judge.
Available times to schedule appointments have been extended to 14 days in advance to meet with trained, professional staff about their claims. Appointments can be made in person at any of UIA’s Local Offices around Michigan, by phone, or virtually.
The agency’s public website at Michigan.gov/UIA has been revamped to be more user-friendly and responsive for those accessing services using cell phones or tablets.

At any time, workers can go to Michigan.gov/UIA and schedule future phone, virtual, and Local Office in-person appointments; find answers to frequently asked questions; or access resources, toolkits, and instructional videos.