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Congress just passed a Stimulus Package to inject around $2 trillion into the U.S. economy. President Trump is expected to sign it into effect later today.  In order to help you understand what it means for you, your family, and your business, my colleague Daniel Barnett and I will be presenting a number of blogs designed to break down the complicated politics, and outline exactly how the Stimulus affects you.  This blog explains the changes to unemployment, who is eligible for the increased unemployment, and how much you can receive.

General Unemployment Information

Unemployment is money provided by states to individuals who are terminated (with exceptions), laid off, or removed from work through no fault of their own. The sum paid, and the duration, vary state by state. Michigan currently provides a maximum allowance of $362 per week for twenty (20) weeks. Generally, the amount you receive is based upon your average income. Michigan, like most states, does not provide unemployment benefits to independent contractors or gig workers (i.e. Uber and Grubhub workers).

Expanded Eligibility

The  Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has expanded who is eligible for unemployment. Under the CARES act, the federal government has put together the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This assistance will provide unemployment payments to

  1. Any individual who is not eligible for state unemployment.
    • This means independent contractors, free lancers, gig workers, those who do not meet the necessary hour/day work schedule, or someone who exhausted their unemployment in the past.
  2. IF that individual self-certifies that they are able to work BUT, are unable to work due to one of the following reasons:
    • Individual is diagnosed with COVID-19;
    • Member of household diagnosed with COVID-19;
    • Individual is caring for family member/member of household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
    • Individual has to care for child due to school, or related facility, closures;
    • Individual cannot get to work due to quarantine;
    • Individual has been advised to self-quarantine;
    • Individual was to start a job and is unable to start due to COVID-19;
    • Individual is self-employed and/or seeking part-time work and would not otherwise qualify for unemployment;
    • Individual has become the bread winner due to death of spouse from COVID-19; or
    • Individual has to quit job due to threat of COVID-19;
  3. This act does NOT include:
    • An individual who has the ability to telework for pay; NOR
    • An individual who has paid time off or sick leave available to them.

Those who qualify will receive half of the average amount paid per week in that state plus $600.00. The benefits are available to these individual for 39 weeks. So if the average weekly payment in Michigan is $300, an individual who qualifies under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will receive $750 per week (1/2 of 300 = 150 + 600 = $750 per week).

Expanded Benefits

In addition to expanding who is eligible, the CARES act also allows for a higher sum of weekly benefits. Under CARES, the federal government will provide an additional $600.00 per week, on top of what the state currently pays. In Michigan, this would mean you can receive a maximum of $962.00 per week in unemployment benefits if your job has been impacted by COVID-19.

CARES has also added an additional thirteen-weeks of eligibility to any state’s period of eligibility. However, this cannot exceed 39 weeks.

Michigan unemployment currently lasts 20 weeks. However, under Governor Whitmer’s executive order, Michigan has expanded unemployment to 26 weeks. With the CARES boost, Michiganders will be eligible for a full 39 weeks of unemployment.

Lastly, even if you are already receiving unemployment for issues that are not related to COVID-19, your eligibility will be increased by thirteen weeks, and your amount will increase by $600.00.

Michigan Unemployment

To find out more information concerning Michigan unemployment benefits please visits the Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity FAQ’s here.

Further, Michigan has already introduced their own executive order concerning Michigan unemployment benefits and expanded eligibility. You can read more about this Michigan Order here.

It is important to note that in order to receive the assistance described above States (including Michigan) must enter into an agreement with the Federal Government. However, the Federal Government will pay 100% of the funds paid by states to individuals once the agreement is entered.

Grewal Law is doing everything we can to boil this information down. We understand the 880 page act is hard to understand and comprehend. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Seeger at Tseeger@4grewal.com or Daniel Barnett at DBarnett@4grewal.com.

19 Comments

  1. Gravatar for Steve Clark
    Steve Clark

    When does the 600.00 go into effect.My wife first week of unemployment week ending

    March21st. In Wisconsin there is a one week waiting period.Will she received that week’s pay

    back in the coming week.

    Thank you!

  2. Gravatar for Michael
    Michael

    Thanks for this helpful article.

    Do you have any information as to how gig-workers and freelancers apply for unemployment?

    The current Michigan website does not have this listed as an option when making a claim.

    Any help would be appreciated!

  3. Gravatar for Larry J Brown
    Larry J Brown

    Thanks for any info.

  4. Gravatar for George Augustaitis
    George Augustaitis

    Hi Mr.Seeger,

    Thanks for the impactful article on the Stimulus Package. I looked on the Michigan site for unemployment, no mention on what to do if you are part of the gig economy. I am a Realtor along with being a Lyft and Uber driver. Any assistance on that would be greatly appreciated especially in these nervous times.

  5. Gravatar for Rita
    Rita

    I am a tattoo artist in Michigan. I file state and federal taxes yearly as a self employed person. How do I apply for unemployment as part of the gig economy. Any help would be appreciated - Michigan unemployment benefits website asks for an employer ID. Does not seem to be set up for the self employed. Any help would be appreciate

  6. Gravatar for Lauren
    Lauren

    My unemployment benefits ran out in July 2119. Have no job since. Do I qualify under the 13 week extension and $600 in the new stimulus unemployment package

  7. Gravatar for Harry
    Harry

    Never been on unemployment before. Currently on social security. I,ve been looking for work that I,m allowed to make. Because of virus I can't get work. Do I qualify for the $600 unemployment $ added to your normal benefit.

    1. Gravatar for william
      william

      if on ssi you are limited on much you can make not on ssdi you must of been working and had hours reduced or laid off due to covid 19

  8. Gravatar for Kathryne
    Kathryne

    How does the unemployment stimulus effect my taxes? I have already elected to have taxes taken out.

  9. Gravatar for Melissa Gentry
    Melissa Gentry

    When you apply for unemployment, does that automatically sign you up for the $600.00? Or is there another form to be filled out in order to receive that money?

    1. Gravatar for Mary Verriest
      Mary Verriest

      Are we paying taxes on the $600.00 stimulus as an employee? If not who is?.

  10. Gravatar for Donna Greenwood
    Donna Greenwood

    Will I get back pay from the beginning once this pkg is approved. I was denied last week cause I worked 25 hours & earned more than $247 which is the max a Louisianan can-draw weekly

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