Dear Neighbor,
It is an honor to serve as your state senator, but it’s an even greater honor to try to help people in our community get back to work. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people underemployed or unemployed, and exacerbated problems with employment for women, people of color, and other minority groups.
Oakland County is a great place with incredible opportunities, but it’s not always easy to find them. I’ve put this newsletter together to make it easier to learn about available state and local help, and to let you know what my colleagues and I have been working on. It’s important to me that you can put food on the table and keep a roof over your head, and that I provide you with informational resources to help you find a job, get a better one, or change careers entirely.
We’re all in this together. If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please let us know by calling (517) 373-2417 or email me at SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov.
Working for You,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
District 12
Website: SenatorBayer.com
Toll-free: (855) DIST012 or (855) 347-8012
Email: SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov
Click here to review PDF version of newsletter
WORKING FOR YOU
Senate Democrats are working hard every day to ensure that when you are without work, you’ll still have the support and resources you need to get by. Whether it’s increasing the minimum wage, requiring earned paid sick time, or protecting employees from scrupulous employers, we’re here for you. Here’s a summary of some legislation we’ve introduced to tackle this tough issue:
| Senate Bill 2 Increase maximum number of unemployment benefit weeks. | Senate Bill 173 Allow low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during summer months. |
| Senate Bill 168 Increase maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount and modify dependent calculation. | Senate Bill 174 Allow low-wage school employees to collect unemployment benefits during summer months. |
| Senate Bill 169 Increase maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount. | Senate Bill 175 Expand unemployment benefits for certain employees during a declared emergency. |
| Senate Bill 170 Increase weekly dependent care amount and benefit period. | Senate Bill 176 Modify the non-monetary eligibility and qualification for unemployment benefits. |
| Senate Bill 171 Modify unemployment multiplier used to determine wage eligibility. | Senate Bill 445 Modify eligibility for certain individuals to receive unemployment benefits. |
| Senate Bill 172 Modify the standard for determining and considering employment of benefits during certain emergencies. | Senate Bill 501 Require an applicant for unemployment benefits to register with a Michigan Works agency within a certain period. |
Oakland County Michigan Works! Programs
Oakland County’s Workforce Development Division serves as the Oakland County Michigan Works! Agency and administers a variety of workforce programs and services. In partnership with employers, educators, economic developers, and community organizations, it seeks to create a qualified workforce that meets the current and future talent needs of the county’s businesses.
Services provided for job seekers include:
• Job Search Assistance
• Tuition Assistance for Education/Training
• Career Coaching
• Workshops – Interviewing, Resume Development and Job Searches • Job Fairs and Events
Services provided for employers include:
• Talent Recruitment
• Training Funds
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Candidate Pre-Screening
• Hiring and Training Support
• Employee Retention Programs
Visit oakgov.com/workforce for more information on any of these topics or to find an office near you.
CHANGING CAREERS?
NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS?
TRY MICHIGAN RECONNECT!
The new Michigan Reconnect program provides eligible adults aged 25 or older with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate at their local, in-district community colleges or select private training schools.
Available training programs include:
• Tuition assistance
• FREE certificate training right at home (Oakland NEXT) • CNC machine operation
• Medical assistant apprenticeship
• Retail worker retraining
Certifications and licenses often can be obtained in less than a year, and many skilled trades can be learned through apprenticeships or short-term training. For more information, visit oakgov.com/workforce.
UNEMPLOYMENT 101
Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency urges Michiganders to use Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) to file unemployment claims and to check the status of those claims. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, folks are experiencing longer wait times, but filing online remains the fastest way to apply for unemployment benefits.
TO FILE A CLAIM:
Go online at to Michigan.gov/UIA to use the MiWAM portal, OR
Call 1-866-500-0017, select Option 1; TTY callers: 1-866-366-0004
TO SUBMIT A CLAIM, YOU WILL NEED YOUR:
- Social Security number
- Employment information from the past 18 months, including employer name and address, first/last day worked, and gross earnings
- Your address, phone number, date of birth
- Non-citizens registration and the expiration date of your work authorization card
- Driver’s license or state ID
- The names and addresses of employers you worked for during the past 18 months along with your quarterly gross earnings
- The last date of employment with each employer
- Your most recent employer’s UIA account number or Federal ID number, especially if you have not filed a claim within the last three years or have been employed for less than six months. (Your employer’s federal ID number can be found on you annual W-2 form and having this information may speed up the processing of your claim.)
- For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), submit documentation of employment or self-employment such as a copy of your W-2, paystubs, invoices, etc.
Please note: Michigan offers 20 weeks of state unemployment and has recently re-enacted its “work search” requirement. The PUA program for self-employed people and gig workers is federal assistance that offers up to 79 weeks of benefits until September, while the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation — also a federal program — is for people who have exhausted state benefits. It allows 53 weeks of benefits until September 2021.
Work Search Reporting/Getting Paid In order to get paid, EVERY TWO WEEKS you must report (certify) that you are still unemployed by answering some questions. Michigan also requires that you show proof you are actively searching for work while unemployed. A “work search activity” includes:
• Applying for jobs in person or online,
• Attending job fairs,
• Creating a profile or resume on a professional networking or job site, or
• Participating in online job search workshops or seminars.
A waiver of the work search requirement may be granted due to certain COVID-19 related reasons, but you must apply and be approved for the waiver before you certify for benefits for the week. You will be notified at the time of the request whether a waiver of the requirement is granted. The preferred method for reporting work search activities is online using your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account, but you can also call (866) 638-3993.
Resources for Businesses & Childcare
Business Resources
Advantage Oakland
oakgov.com/advantageoakland
Advantage Oakland is the best place to look if you are a business in need of financial support, mentoring, networking, and more. They can supply you with information about Oakland County grants, business grants and loans, Small Business Association loans, and a tax-exempt bond program.
Located in Waterford, they regularly host workshops throughout the community to help businesses thrive. They also provide resources for employers and employees. Visit oakgov.com/advantageoakland to learn more about their programs and services, including COVID-19-related supports.
Childcare Resources Oakland County Child Care Council
oaklandchildcare.org
Childcare is an essential service for working parents. Quality childcare
can make a significant difference in a child’s learning, growth, and social opportunities from a young age. Residents of Oakland County are fortunate to have the Oakland County Child Care Council in their corner, which provides resources and referral information for families. Visit oaklandchildcare.org to learn more.
Having difficulty paying for childcare? You might be eligible for assistance through the MI Bridges program. Visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges to learn more.
