How To Get Unemployment Benefits Faster

I do not know first-hand, because it has been 5 weeks, no benefits for me, but I did find an article on our local news in the Detroit area that gives some practical tips. The checklist is short and somewhat simple:

*DO check whether you're covered.* The reassuring message from the UIA for me has been consistently to tell me how many weeks I am entitled to receive, though it does not mention a dollar amount and does not give a "date last paid" since I have not been paid. At least I know that I do "qualify". Check this out right away - you can check right online in Michigan: www.michigan.gov/uia

*DO bring documentation. - Bring a detailed work history, pay stubs, Social Security card and a dismissal notice. Don't take anything for granted: overprepare.*

*DO explain your predicament properly.* This is the TRICKY one! Now, I presented my case over the phone to a very nice UIA employee who worded my claim "not enough work". This does not seem to be doing the trick and is not the same as "stopped paying me". I was disappointed and my former employer was angered into fighting back by these words they believed I fashioned but did not. The best and KEY PHRASE is *"discharged without any misconduct."* Use it wisely.

*DON'T reduce your odds. There is a short list of things that can disqualify you from these benefits. Being fired for deliberate and repeated misconduct is a tough one to get around. Also, if you have refused a similar job and similar pay. Finally if you were on strike or quit your job for no reason.* I would like to add that the State of Michigan is already overburdened with not only the amount to be paid out in unemployment benefits, but the sheer work of distributing the funds. To quote Stephen Colbert, "Right now the only safe career is telling people they're fired.'" and in Michigan, we are all applying to the UIA (Unemployment Insurance Agency).

There is a movement across the nation, no, across the world, to work from home. This is not "envelope stuffing" from days gone by, so do not be misled by those ads! These are legitimate companies that hire customer service representatives and other positions to work from their own home offices. More about legitimate working from home opportunities.


In our area of southeastern Michigan, the local news has gone as far as to teach us how to respond to our friends and families when they tell us they have lost their job. Probably a better answer than "I have no idea what to say." Although, that is not a bad answer, really. Click here to learn the finer points of how that conversation should go.

The recording at Unemployment states that it will take 6 weeks to get paid. I have heard people being paid much faster than that and I have heard people being paid much, much later than that. It has been 5 weeks for me. It would possibly have helped me to use that phrase, "discharged without any misconduct". I hope this information helps make it less for you.

* Source: www.wxyz.com Author: Bob Rosner

Source: www.wxyz.com "Work From Home"

Source: The Colbert Report