In Lansing, Michigan, lawmakers have decided on legislation significantly boosting weekly unemployment benefits in the state. This piece of legislation, which now requires the signature of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, proposes to raise the maximum unemployment benefits available from the current $362 a week all the way up to $614 a week by 2027. This would be an increase of nearly 70%.

In addition, it aims to extend the period a person can collect unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks, which would bring Michigan in line with other U.S. states. The proposed increases have been both applauded and cautioned against, with discussions whether such increases would be sustainable or provide incentives for individuals to remain unemployed. The last adjustment to Michigan’s unemployment benefits happened in 2003, so this significant increase is aimed at adjusting for inflation and aligning with benefits offered in neighboring states.

Potential implications for business owners are also being weighed as unemployment benefits are provided through the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund, which is subsidized by employers. So, any changes in the benefits can directly impact the financial operations of businesses. As for the individuals who are in need of unemployment benefits, the legislations’ passage brings hope for better financial security during job loss periods.

For those struggling to reach Michigan’s unemployment office, you may be interested in looking at states that have efficient contact methods. For instance, California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) has multiple ways for residents to contact them. They provide an EDD phone number and several services online through their official website, edd.ca.gov. For immediate assistance or queries, you can visit eddcaller.com, which offers various tips and information on how to get in touch with the EDD office conveniently, be it for unemployment, disability, or Paid Family Leave queries. The site provides numerous resources for residents needing to reach EDD services or finding it difficult to get through to a live person at their offices.