Unemployed Michigan workers can claim benefits through the holidays
MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – The State of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. While the agency will be closed, unemployed workers can still contact the agency's automated MARVIN system to claim their eligibility for unemployment benefits.
“MARVIN (Michigan’s Automated Response Voice Interactive Network) does not take time off for the holidays,” UIA Director Stephen Geskey said. “So, while our offices will be closed on the next two Thursdays and Fridays, December 24 and 25, and December 31 and January 1, MARVIN will be available by telephone or through the Internet all week, Monday through Friday, and even on Saturday, December 26.”
“MARVIN’s continued availability throughout the holiday period is important for the 470,000 unemployed workers in the state who are claiming and relying on their unemployment benefits,” Geskey said.
Unemployed workers claiming benefits in Michigan must contact MARVIN by telephone or online once every two weeks to certify that they are unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits. After the MARVIN contact, their benefits are normally authorized and issued on the next business day.
However, during the Christmas and New Year’s weeks, Geskey said the agency will be using the following schedule for authorizing and posting unemployment benefit payments:
REPORTING TO MARVIN ON : CHECK FOR PAYMENT ON:
Monday, Dec. 21 or 28 : Following Wednesday or Thursday
Tuesday, Dec. 22 or 29 : Following Thursday
Wednesday, Dec. 23 or 30 : Following Monday or Tuesday
Thursday, Dec. 24 or 31
Friday, Dec. 25 or Jan 1
Saturday, Dec. 26 (MARVIN not available on Sat., Jan. 2) : Following Tuesday or Wednesday
He said unemployed workers may see a one or two day delay before their benefits are either directly deposited into their bank accounts or loaded onto their debit card because of the upcoming holidays, which are observed by Michigan state government and most financial institutions. Generally, unemployment benefits are received within three business days after an unemployed worker contacts MARVIN.
Individuals contact MARVIN at specific times according to a Monday through Wednesday schedule based on the last two digits of their Social Security numbers or anytime on Thursday or Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on most Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (MARVIN will not be available on Saturday, January 2, 2010.)
MARVIN can be reached toll-free at 1-866-638-3993 or online at www.michigan.gov/uia.
Geskey noted that agency call centers and Problem Resolution Offices will be closed on December 24, 25 and 31 and on January 1, 2010.
