Michigan unemployment benefits
In Michigan, unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks and pay up to $530 a week (as of July 1, 2026). There is no unpaid waiting week, and you file with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity).
By Justin KullaLast updated
Last verified October 6, 2026 against official sources.
Michigan benefits at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $530source, July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $218source, July 1, 2026 |
| Maximum weeks of benefits | 26 weeks (14-26 weeks depending on base-period wages)source, July 1, 2026 |
| Weeks depend on the state unemployment rate | Nosource, July 1, 2026 |
| Unpaid waiting week | Nosource, January 1, 2023 |
| Severance pay | The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Pay in lieu of notice | The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Work-search requirement | Claimants must complete at least 2 work search activities per week.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Extended benefits | Not available nowsource, October 4, 2026 |
| How to file | the Unemployment Insurance Agency (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity)source, October 6, 2026 |
Weekly amounts exclude dependents’ allowances. Severance, pay in lieu of notice and work-search entries dated January 1, 2023 come from the Department of Labor’s latest Comparison of State UI Laws, which reflects state law on that date; confirm them with the Unemployment Insurance Agency (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity).
Severance and unemployment in Michigan
Severance pay: The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.
Pay in lieu of notice (including WARN Act pay): The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.
File as soon as you are out of work even if you received severance. The agency decides how payments affect your claim, and most states pay only from the week you file.
Local workforce boards in Michigan
Public workforce boards run American Job Centers, which offer free help with job search, training and benefits.
- Capital Area Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
- City of Detroit Mayor’s Workforce Development Board
- Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
- GST Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
- Macomb-St. Clair Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! Region 7B Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! Southeast Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board
- Michigan Works! West Central Workforce Development Board
- Northwest Michigan Workforce Development Board
- Oakland County Workforce Development Board/Oakland County Michigan Works!
- SEMCA Workforce Development Board
- Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
- West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
If you’re a laid-off professional
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws and Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, the DOL Extended Benefits trigger notice, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity). Where official sources disagree or a figure could not be confirmed, this page says to check with the agency rather than estimate. Rules change; the agency’s decision on your claim is what counts. See our editorial standards.