State Unemployment Benefits in Michigan
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency administers unemployment benefits through the MiWAM online system. When a claimant dies, the death should be reported so payments stop; benefits issued for weeks after the date of death are an overpayment the agency recovers through recoupment, and UIA determines whether accrued benefits are owed for eligible weeks before death (MCL 421.27(e)).
Administering agency
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)
State Unemployment Benefits in Michigan: key facts
- Administering agency
- Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
- Online system
- MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager) at michigan.gov/uia.
- Phone
- 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (TTY 1-866-366-0004).
- After a death
- Report the death so payments stop. Benefits issued for weeks after the date of death are an overpayment the agency recovers through recoupment.
- Reporting a death
- Call UIA at 1-866-500-0017, chat with an agent through MiWAM, or schedule a phone, in-person, or virtual appointment. UIA publishes no death-report form; these are the confirmed contact routes.
- Who may claim accrued benefits
- The legal heir or guardian of the claimant, or any other person UIA determines was equitably entitled by having incurred burial or other necessary expenses on behalf of the claimant (MCL 421.27(e)).
- Claim deadline for accrued benefits
- Accrued benefits are not payable more than 6 years after the ending date of the benefit year covering the payment, or 2 calendar years after the calendar year in which there is final disposition of a contested case, whichever is later (MCL 421.27(h)).
Steps to take when someone dies
- Call UIA at 1-866-500-0017 to report the claimant's death so benefit payments stop.
- Any benefits issued for weeks after the date of death are an overpayment the agency recovers through recoupment (UIA Fact Sheet 174).
- Ask UIA whether accrued benefits are owed for eligible weeks before death and what documentation is required; the agency determines documentation requirements administratively.
Frequently asked questions
The death should be reported to UIA so payments stop. Benefits issued for weeks after the date of death are an overpayment the agency recovers through recoupment, and UIA determines whether accrued benefits are owed for eligible weeks before death.
Under MCL 421.27(e), accrued unpaid benefits become due and payable to the claimant's legal heir or guardian, or to any other person UIA finds equitably entitled because they incurred burial or other necessary expenses on the claimant's behalf. Call UIA at 1-866-500-0017 to initiate the claim and learn what documentation is required.
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), part of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, administers unemployment benefits through the MiWAM online system and customer service at 1-866-500-0017.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Michigan primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)