Michigan Unemployment Benefits in 2026–2027: $530/Week for 26 Weeks, Rising to $614 in January

Michigan’s unemployment insurance program — managed by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) — saw its first significant benefit increase in years starting January 1, 2026. The maximum weekly benefit rose from $446 to $530 per claim filed in 2026, an $84/week improvement following SB 40 signed by Governor Whitmer. Michigan also increased the per-dependent supplement from $12.66 to $19.33 (for up to five dependents).

Just as important: benefits now last up to 26 weeks, after the same law restored Michigan’s duration from the old 20-week cap that had made a longer job search especially hard to plan around.

2026 Benefit Amounts and Duration

Michigan’s maximum weekly benefit is $530 for claims filed in 2026. The minimum is $150. Benefits last up to 26 weeks.

Michigan also provides a dependent supplement: $19.33 per dependent per week for up to five dependents. This can add up to $96.65/week for families with five qualifying dependents.

Your Weekly Benefit Amount is calculated at approximately 43% of your average weekly wage during the base period, subject to the cap. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filing.

Note: claims filed before January 1, 2026 remain at the prior $446 maximum. The $530 rate applies to new claims filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Here’s the full phase-in schedule under SB 40, per the official UIA announcement:

See how Michigan UI benefits compare to other states at our national unemployment benefits comparison table and Subscribe or follow us to get the latest updates as Michigan’s benefit rules evolve.

Who Qualifies

To receive Michigan UI benefits, you must:

• Have earned wages in at least two quarters of the base period
• Have wages in your highest quarter of at least $4,716
• Have total base period wages of at least 1.5× your high-quarter wages
• Have lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, reduction in force, business closure)
• Be physically able and available for full-time work, and actively seeking employment

Michigan requires claimants to make at least three employer contacts per week starting in 2026 (increased from one). Register with Pure Michigan Talent Connect. Certify weekly through the MiWAM online system or by phone.

Workers fired for misconduct or who quit without good cause are generally ineligible. Michigan recognizes domestic violence, medical conditions, and substantial employer-imposed changes to terms of employment as good cause.

Partial Unemployment for Part-Time Workers and Reduced Hours

Michigan’s partial UI formula: the earnings disregard is the greater of $6 per day worked or 1/5 of your WBA per week. Earnings above that threshold reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar.

For example, if your WBA is $400 (1/5 = $80) and you work 3 days earning $180:

• Disregard: greater of $6×3=$18 or 1/5×$400=$80 → use $80
• Deductible earnings: $180 − $80 = $100
• Adjusted WBA: $400 − $100 = $300

Workers on reduced hours can also file for partial benefits. All earnings must be reported when certifying weekly through MiWAM.

Tax Implications of Michigan Unemployment Benefits

Michigan taxes unemployment compensation as ordinary income at the flat 4.05% state rate for 2026. At $530/week for a full 26 weeks, that’s roughly $558 in total state tax at the maximum.

At the federal level, UI is taxable as ordinary income. You’ll receive Form 1099-G from UIA by January 31. You can elect federal and Michigan state withholding from your weekly payments when certifying. Withholding is recommended to avoid a tax bill.

How to File

File your claim at michigan.gov/uia or call 866-500-0017. You’ll need your Social Security number, complete work history for the past 18 months, and bank account details for direct deposit.

There is a one-week waiting period before benefits start. After approval, certify weekly through MiWAM — report all earnings and employer contacts each week.

If your claim is denied, you have 30 days from the mailing date to file an appeal with the Michigan Administrative Hearing System.

Other Benefits Available to Unemployed Michigan Workers

Medicaid: Michigan expanded Medicaid in 2014 under the Healthy Michigan Plan. Adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify for free coverage. Apply at michigan.gov/mdhhs.

MIChild (CHIP): Michigan’s MIChild program provides low-cost health coverage for children in households up to 212% of the federal poverty level. Apply through MDHHS.

SNAP (Food Assistance): Michigan’s Food Assistance Program (FAP) provides monthly EBT food benefits. Apply at michigan.gov/mdhhs or a local MDHHS office. Income limits vary by household size.

LIHEAP / MEAP: Michigan’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program helps with heating costs. Contact your local community action agency or apply through MDHHS (michigan.gov/mdhhs).

Michigan Works! Centers: Michigan Works! offers free job search assistance, skills training, resume help, and access to WIOA training grants. Participating in Michigan Works! activities helps meet your weekly work-search requirements.

Looking Ahead: 2027 Outlook

The next step is already locked in: on January 1, 2027, Michigan’s maximum weekly benefit rises to $614 and the per-dependent amount increases to $26. From 2028 onward, both adjust automatically each year with the Consumer Price Index — so Michigan’s cap will no longer stagnate for a decade the way $362 did.

If you’re weighing when to file near year-end, remember the rate lock: a claim filed in late December 2026 uses the $530 cap for its entire benefit year, while one filed in January 2027 uses $614. And don’t forget the tougher work-search rule — three documented employer contacts per week — which trips up more claimants than the money rules do. I’ll update this page when the UIA confirms the 2027 rollout details.