People who receive unemployment payments must once again prove they’ve engaged in some type of state-approved job search activity or risk losing the benefit.
The rule had been suspended since March of 2020 because of the COVID-19 crisis. It was reinstated May 30.
Now, people will need to again show proof every week they’ve applied for a job, been through some type of training, or engaged in some other type of work-search activity.
“It’s important for folks to understand that they must do them and they must tell us what those activities were to continue receiving their benefits,” said Liza Estlund Olson, who heads the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.
She says people who turn down job offers may be denied benefits.
“So, you know, if you’re offered a position, you need to take that position or there would be a potential for fact-finding in terms of why you didn’t take that position when it was offered to you.”
Employers can report people who say “no” to a job to the state unemployment office. Olson says there are still COVID-related waivers available, but those must be filed with the agency in advance.
“Because if they try to get the waiver at the time of certification and they have not done a work search activity, that will impact on their payment for that week.”
