We are asking Gov. Whitmer to give the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency a directive to speed up the process of unemployment. We believe that the UIA is working hard to provide emergency financial assistance to the claimants.  But the changes they have implemented are not cutting it.

According to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (Michigan.gov/leo)1, there have been 1,178,021 unemployment claims filed in Michigan as of April 18.  In the same article, it also says that Michigan UIA “has provided benefits to 1,018,315 Michigan workers who are unemployed as a result of COVID-19.”  That gives us the difference of 159,706 - claimants who have been waiting to receive their unemployment benefits since March. This 159,706 is not just a number. They are individuals who are anxious about their health and safety; who lost their jobs, with families depending on them to provide; senior citizens who are relying on their jobs for sustenance; single parents with young kids - they have bills and rent to pay, mouths to feed, who may have medical condition and need prescription.

Speeding up the process will help Michiganders have food on the table, keep their dwelling, keep their prescriptions coming and give them a little relief while waiting to get back to their jobs.

Source:

1 Over 1 Million Michigan Workers Affected by COVID-19 Now Receiving Unemployment Benefits: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-76741-527111--,00.html