State extends unemployment benefits by another 20 weeks
Some unemployed people in Michigan will be able to claim unemployment benefits for an extra 20 weeks thanks to federal rules and the state’s ongoing high unemployment rate.
The Federal Extended Benefits program kicks in after a state’s unemployment rate has averaged 8% or more for three months in a row.
Unfortunately for many workers the extension of benefits will only apply to people who qualify for the state’s regular unemployment program. That means gig workers, contract workers, and others covered by the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program passed by Congress in March aren’t eligible for the extension.
At least 2.3 million Michiganders have applied for unemployment assistance since the pandemic began, collecting $24 billion in benefits.
You can read more on Bridge Michigan.
