Big Changes Just Went Into Effect That Will Affect Michigan’s Unemployed Residents

If you’re getting unemployment benefits in Michigan right now, there are some changes you need to know about, because apparently the state has decided you don’t have enough going on already.

Michigan Unemployment Workers Now Have to Search for Three Jobs a Week

Starting July 19, Michigan changed its unemployment rules, and the biggest change is the job-search requirement. You used to have to show you were looking for one job a week. Now you have to document three job-search activities every week.

READ MORE: Another Abandoned Building Fire Sends Thick Smoke Over Flint 

That could mean applying for a job online or in person, going to a job fair, or even creating a resume on a job site like MiTalent.org. And this isn’t one of those things where you can just say, “Yeah, I looked for a job.”

Get our free mobile app

You need to keep track of it, because if you don’t meet the requirement, your benefits could be stopped, and you could potentially have to pay money back.

New Michigan Unemployment Rules Add Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

But there’s another change that’s actually designed to help people. Michigan is now allowing eligible workers who leave a job because of domestic violence to qualify for unemployment benefits. They don’t necessarily have to file a police report, either. Other documentation can be accepted, and information connected to those claims has to remain confidential.

READ MORE: 21 Awesome Genesee County Diners Rated 4 Starts or More on Google 

There’s also some help for people who’ve been told they owe unemployment money back. MLive also reports that if you’re dealing with financial hardship, you can now apply for a hardship waiver four times a year, instead of once every six months.

350K Michigan Residents Have Had To Repay Their Unemployment Benefits

That could affect a LOT of people. More than 350,000 Michigan workers were told last year they had to repay unemployment benefits, much of it connected to the pandemic.

READ MORE: Dog Walker Discovers Human Remains Near Mid-Michigan Courthouse 

So, basically, if you’re collecting unemployment, you now have to prove you’re looking for work three times a week. Because apparently, once a week wasn’t enough paperwork.