Governor Whitmer on Monday announced the signing of Senate Bill 445 that amends the Michigan Employment Security Act to allow certain unemployed workers eligible for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to receive benefits even though they were available only for part-time work. Previously, PUA claimants were required to be able and available for full-time work.

Governor Whitmer stated “As we continue to grow our economy, my top priority is working toward bipartisan solutions to save Michiganders time and money, I’ve always said that Michiganders should not be penalized for doing what was right at the time they applied for federal pandemic benefits. The changes in this legislation will streamline our unemployment system and provide relief to Michiganders who needed these federal benefits to pay their bills, keep food on the table, and continue supporting small businesses.”

The change would affect PUA claims filed after March 1, 2020, for those who had issues due to only being available for part-time work. The PUA program ended in Sept. 2021.

Senate Bill 445, sponsored by Sen. Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, passed the Michigan Senate unanimously and the Michigan House by a 101-3 vote.

Governor Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget recommendation includes $88 million to strengthen Michigan’s unemployment insurance system.

Of that amount, $75 million is proposed for the replacement of the computer system the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency uses to process jobless claims and employer transactions. The Michigan Integrated Data Automated System was activated nearly 10 years ago. The remaining $13 million is proposed for enhanced unemployment insurance fraud enforcement.