Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expediting Unemployment Benefits

MICHIGAN — Unemployment benefits could be expedited following an executive order signed by the governor late Wednesday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order expediting benefits for tens of thousands of Michiganders who have filed for unemployment benefits by allowing the state to review only only a person's most recent job separation to determine the person's benefit entitlement.

Since the most recent separation is the only thing the state needs to consider when determining benefit entitlement, the move should help facilitate the process, the state said.

“Nobody should have to worry about how to put food on the table or pay their bills, especially during a crisis," Whitmer said in a statement. "Michiganders everywhere have lost work because of COVID-19, and we must ensure they receive the benefits they’re entitled to as quickly and efficiently as possible. This executive order will take us one step closer toward that goal by temporarily eliminating red tape as we continue to flatten the curve of this deadly disease.”

The Executive Order also extends Executive Order 2020-57, which:

• Expands the state’s workshare program, offering more tools to employers to reduce layoffs and restart their business.
• Extends unemployment benefits to workers:

• Who have an unanticipated family care responsibility.
• Who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off.

• Extends unemployment benefits to workers who voluntarily left a job after accepting new employment but were unable to start their new position due to the pandemic.
• Allows anyone with an active unemployment claim to receive up to 26 weeks of benefits.
• Suspends the requirement for individuals seeking unemployment to request a registration and work search waiver from their employer.
• Allows Unemployment Insurance Agency retirees to keep their retirement benefits if they return to work to process unemployment claims or serve on the Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
• Expands cost-sharing with employers to reduce layoffs.

According to Roll Call, Michigan has the second-lowest percentage of claimants still awaiting a decision on benefits, with only New York having a lower percentage of undecided claims.