On January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly rate for unemployment benefits is scheduled to increase from $446 to $530. The increase is part of bipartisan legislation that was signed into law in December 2024.
Key Points:
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- The amount an unemployed worker receives for each dependent (up to five total) will also increase from $12.66 per dependent to $19.33.
- Under the law, the weekly benefit rate will continue to increase annually.
- Claims filed before January 1 will not see a change in the approved weekly benefit rate.
- On January 1, 2027, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate will increase to $614, and the dependent rate will rise to $26.
To qualify for unemployment benefits, a worker must be unemployed, and:
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- Registered for work at MiTalent.org and have visited a Michigan Works! Association service center to begin the reemployment process.
- Willing to accept any suitable full-time employment.
- Physically and mentally capable of performing full-time work, as performed before losing a job, or have been trained to do.
- Actively seeking suitable full-time work.
- Starting in June 2026, unemployed workers must record three work search activities each week, up from one.
