With the current state of the economy in the United States, and in Michigan in particular, the ranks of Michigan’s unemployed are growing by the day. This means more and more people in Michigan are collecting unemployment benefits.
As with any government-run program, collecting unemployment can seem quite daunting. Fortunately for you, however, we have technology here in the early 21st century, and Michigan is one state that has embraced it. and he used it for his leisure.
First, filing for unemployment benefits can now be done online in the state at http:// www. michigan.gov/uia. The instructions are very simple and to the point. This is much easier than showing up in person at Michigan Works! offices that always have lines out the door and packed parking lots.
Well, so filed and tested by the leisure benefits. Now you might know with MARVIN (Michigan Automated Response Voice Interactive Network), which is Michigan’s call-in service system. Every two weeks, you must call MARVIN at 1-866-638-3993 and answer “his” questions by dialing “1” for “yes” and “9” for “no.” MARVIN warns you to wait until it says “goodbye” before it’s due, or your benefit payment won’t be processed.
MARVIN every two weeks sounds relatively simple; however, it has disadvantages. Approved for unemployment benefits, you will be assigned a call-in time MARVIN based on the last two digits of your social security number. This one-hour timeframe falls on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. You literally only have one hour to make and complete your certification call to MARVIN. If you forget to call in time for your lottery, you have to wait until Thursday or Friday to call, which delays your payment until Saturday or Monday.
Sometimes you remember calling MARVIN in your time, but you can’t make it! You will receive an error message that all circuits are busy. When it comes down to it, Michigan is unprepared to have a huge number of people on empty rolls. That is, you simply cannot call during your time while everyone else is trying.
Frustrated, right? Of course it is, but luckily Michigan came up with a solution to lift MARVIN’s burden. By nominating for online access through http://www.michigan.gov/uia, you can now go to MARVIN Online on your scheduled day and complete your biweekly certification in just a few clicks of the mouse! Far better and way less frustrating than the old phone route.
Finally, rather than waiting for the postman every two weeks for your unemployment check to drop, you can now have money directly deposited into your bank, or Michigan will give you a “rechargeable” debit card, depositing money every two weeks. Fast and easy!
So, with the tools available to you, collecting retirement benefits in Michigan no longer has to be a hair-raising experience.
