With a new Michigan law, certain unemployed workers who were only available for part-time work are now eligible for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA. The benefits were previously only available to full-time workers.
The law affects claims filed after March 1, 2020. The program ended in September of 2021. The law is expected to help those who are still dealing with paperwork regarding claims from the past two years.
Julia Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said, “This is an important change for part-time workers under PUA. The federal program allowed for certain workers to qualify for benefits that helped them stay caught up with their bills.”
Upon signing the bill into law, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The changes in this legislation will streamline our unemployment system and provide relief to Michiganders who needed these federal benefits to pay their bills, keep food on the table, and continue supporting small businesses.”
The bipartisan legislation is part of ongoing reforms to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
