August 18, 2021
Note from Erika
With students going back to school this fall, it is important that as parents and guardians, we take necessary steps to protect our students and those around them who may be susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. If your student is eligible, it’s a good idea to set up an appointment to get the vaccine. In addition to local pharmacies, both Beaumont Teen Health Centers and the Western Wayne Family Health Centers are offering the vaccine for those ages 12 and up. Please also consider making sure that your students have well-fitting masks to use while at school depending on your school’s mask requirements.
Please be aware that while we are re-engaging in-person office operations, we also continue to serve Michigan’s 6th Senate District remotely. If you have any questions or concerns, we can be reached by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov and by voicemail at (517) 373-7800.
Erika Geiss
State Senator
6th District
In This Edition
MDHHS UPDATES COVID-19 SCHOOL GUIDANCE
As schools begin to welcome students back into the classroom this fall, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released updated guidelines on actions schools may take to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 within school buildings and protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
The guidance has been updated to reflect the most current recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on masking and prevention strategies to help operate schools more safely. It also includes information about assessing risk levels when making decisions about implementing layered prevention strategies against COVID-19.
NOTICE OF EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY REASONS FOR PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA) – IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
Many individuals have received or are receiving letters from the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) asking you to re-file your unemployment claim. These letters may be alarming and confusing, and I want you to know you can reach out to my office if you need help.
Simply put, Michigan’s PUA program included four reasons that the US Department of Labor (USDOL) did not approve. Because of this, UIA is asking individuals who received unemployment to re-submit their claim using a provided list of qualifying reasons. Individuals may pick several reasons as situations change, and many reasons may apply to an individual’s specific circumstance.
What to Do
Log in to your MiWAM account and click on the “Requalify for PUA” link under the Alerts tab which will provide a Self-Attestation response form for each week that you certified for unemployment assistance. You do not have to pick the same reason for each week and you can pick more than one if they apply to your situation.
Once the self-attestation of eligibility is processed, you will receive a redetermination letter. If it is found that you are not eligible, you can appeal the redetermination. If it is determined that you were not eligible and receive an overpayment letter, UIA will evaluate and determine if you are eligible to receive a waiver so that you do not have to pay restitution. If you receive an overpayment letter, please contact my office to assist you in requesting a waiver. Unless UIA determines that you were intentionally deceptive when seeking benefits, a waiver should be granted.
Programs Ending Update
The unemployment benefit programs Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) which were extended as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act are now set to expire on Sept. 4, 2021. After this date, these programs will no longer be available to new UI applicants or to existing claims.
All protests and adjunctions that are pending determinations on Sept. 4, 2021, will continue through the process despite these programs ending, and benefits will be paid to claimants determined to be eligible.
I understand that this may be confusing and frustrating, please feel free to reach out to my office at (517) 373-7800 or by filling out our unemployment assistance form.
WAYNE COUNTY FLOOD RESOURCES
Residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Unemployment Assistance Available for Residents Affected by Storms in Wayne County
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to eligible individuals due to a major disaster declared by President Joe Biden on July 15, 2021. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is accepting applications for DUA from individuals in Wayne County whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Severe Storms and Flooding between June 25 and June 26, 2021. Applications for DUA must be filed by Aug. 23, 2021.
To be eligible for DUA benefits under the Presidential Disaster Declaration, individuals must:
- Apply for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
- Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state.
- Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was caused as a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President.
- Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien.
- Have worked or was self-employed in, or was scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above.
- Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
Other individuals eligible to apply for DUA are those who:
- Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of this disaster.
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of this disaster.
- Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household as a direct result of this disaster.
- Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government as a direct result of this disaster.
If you have questions about either of these options or need assistance, please contact my office at (517) 373-7800 or by filling out the unemployment assistance form on my website.
You can also visit the state’s labor department FAQ page for answers to questions you may have regarding eligibility for unemployment or for issues you may have with your current claim.
Click here to schedule an in-person appointment at a local UIA office.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Congratulations to Taylor North Little League Major Boys (U12) for their victory over Hamilton West Side of Ohio on Saturday, cementing them as the 2021 Great Lakes Regional Champions!
Ending the series 4-0 after a stellar performance clinching the state title earlier this summer, Taylor North Little League will now be representing Michigan in the Little League World Series when they face off against Florida on Aug. 20th in Williamsport, PA. Let’s all root, root, root for the home team and send them good vibes to keep those bats hot and fielding on point.
I also want to wish a special congratulations to constituent Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim Opara for being appointed to the Michigan State Medical Society Task Force to Advance Health Equity.