Final Major Step Completed on Michigan's System For Taking Jobless Claims Online
October 27 2003 - 1:13PM
PR Newswire (US)
Final Major Step Completed on Michigan's System For Taking Jobless
Claims Online Almost every worker can now file through the Internet
DETROIT, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The state of Michigan has
completed work on the last major phase of its Internet system for
taking jobless claims online. "We have completed the major
unfinished piece of our Internet-based system for accepting
unemployment benefit claims," David Plawecki, deputy director of
Michigan's Department of Consumer & Industry Services, said,
"which opens the system to just about any worker who wants to file
a claim online." The state has eliminated the requirement that
unemployed workers must have filed an unemployment claim within the
previous 10 years in order to file a claim through the Internet.
Unemployed workers can file a new unemployment claim or reopen an
established claim by visiting the state Bureau of Workers' &
Unemployment Compensation (BW&UC) website at
http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc . Plawecki, who oversees the
BW&UC, pointed out that filing an unemployment claim online is
fast, easy and a tremendous convenience for the unemployed. "It
takes between 30 and 45 minutes and all it requires is a computer
with Internet access, which means many will be able to file their
claims from their homes," Plawecki said. The bureau's website
accepts online claims applications Monday through Friday, from 7:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m., including holidays that fall on weekdays. To
file a new claim online, the key requirements for unemployed
workers are that they: * Live in and have worked only in Michigan
during the past 18 months; and * Have no wages from the federal
government. The website uses an interactive application for
unemployment benefits. Jobless workers will be prompted to answer a
series of questions as the bureau collects the information needed
to establish a claim. Those applying for unemployment benefits
online are still required to register for employment at their local
Michigan Works! service center, if they are not returning to work
within 120 days. Unemployment benefits cannot be paid unless
workers place their resumes in the Michigan Talent Bank. Those who
have filed claims by Internet or telephone within the past 60 days
and have a problem or question about their unemployment claim can
call the telephone-filed claims toll-free hotline at 1-866-500-0017
for assistance. Inquiries can be made through the claims hotline on
weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bureau also operates a
general question toll-free customer service answer line at
1-800-638-3995 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Bureau of Workers' & Unemployment Compensation news
releases are available at the bureau's website
(http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc ) DATASOURCE: Bureau of Workers'
& Unemployment Compensation CONTACT: Norm Isotalo of Bureau of
Workers' & Unemployment Compensation, +1-313-456-2939, Web
site: http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc
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