Michigan has launched a new $82 million unemployment system that will allow users to access their information with their phones and be paid weekly.
The MiUI will serve as the streamlined online experience for unemployed workers filing for benefits and for employers and third-party administrators managing tax and benefits functions, according to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.
The new system replaces the 14-year-old Michigan Web Account Manager.
“Michiganders deserve an easier, more intuitive way to manage their unemployment claims and the ability to access their accounts from a mobile phone or any device,” said UIA Director Jason Palmer in a statement. “MiUI is modern, user-friendly, convenient to access any day or time, and features plain language that spells out clear expectations, reducing the chance for errors. With MiUI, routine tasks can be done much faster online. We’re excited to bring this transformative technology to the workers and employers we serve.”
MiUI was launched Monday morning after five years of discussions. With the new system in place, several phone-based services will be discontinued, including the Michigan Automated Response Voice Interactive Network, known as MARVIN, for certification and calling UIA to file a new claim by phone, according to the UIA.
For the first time, Michigan’s unemployment system will be fully mobile-friendly. Users will be able to log in with their State of Michigan MiLogin account, complete certifications, submit work searches, and manage their accounts from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Walk-in visits to local offices with self-serve kiosks, language assistance, and customer service phone staff who can help with issues that need focused attention will continue.
