A scam alert reveals how thieves are targeting Michiganders who are collecting unemployment benefits.

Some Michigan residents who were previously eligible will no longer receive additional weeks of unemployment benefits, the state revealed. Michigan is no longer in a high unemployment period, so claimants receiving extended benefits and pandemic unemployment assistance will not longer receive them for extra weeks, according to state officials. Under federal law, a state in a high unemployment period receives seven additional weeks of PUA and EB benefits. Since Michigan is no longer in a high unemployment period, those seven extra weeks will not be paid, according to officials. AdFor residents receiving extra benefits who have already been paid for the maximum number of weeks, their claim is considered exhausted, and there are no more weeks of extra benefits available, state officials said.

Federal officials said the two filed at least 66 fraudulent Michigan unemployment insurance benefits claims, causing a loss of more than $150,000. “As I have said before, those who steal unemployment benefits steal from all of us. Court records show they had the fraudulent benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, including some connected to prepaid debit cards. Officials said Armstrong has filed fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of people in Michigan, California and Pennsylvania. “The UIA remains committed to working closely with all of our federal and state partners on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force to bring unemployment fraud cases to justice.”

RELATED: Michigan unemployment: Residents can start to claim remaining PEUC, PUA paymentsThere’s a new way people who are battling the Unemployment Insurance Agency can get help to solve these issues. The University of Michigan’s Workers’ Rights Clinic has law students assisting residents in solving what can be frustrating issues. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the school said the Workers’ Rights Clinic would average about 15 phone calls each week. The Workers’ Rights Clinic -- formerly the Unemployment Insurance Clinic -- offers advice, provides representation at more. To apply for legal assistance through the Workers’ Rights Clinic, visit the University of Michigan Law School’s official website here.

Michigan residents who have remaining pandemic unemployment payments can start to claim them this week, including the additional $300 COVID-19 benefit, state officials announced. Residents who claimed Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and had weeks remaining on their claim as of Dec. 26, 2020, can start to certify their claims, according to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. RELATED: Whitmer confirms start of $300 unemployment payments to Michiganders affected by COVID-19The certification process can be done through MiWAM accounts, officials said. Residents who didn’t exhaust their original 13 weeks of PEUC can claim the balance of remaining weeks, starting with the week ending Jan. 2, officials said. Claimants who didn’t exhaust their original 39 weeks of PUA payments can claim the balance of remaining weeks, beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, the state revealed.

Gretchen Whitmer has signed bills that extend unemployment benefits for residents who have lost work due to COVID-19 until the end of the year. Senate Bills 886 and 991 codify part of Whitmer’s orders that expanded unemployment benefits to Michiganders. “When we get back to session I look forward to taking up our bills to expand unemployment benefits and create stronger pathways to get Michigan families the resources they need during a pandemic,” said Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown). Since March 15, the state has paid more than $25 billion in benefits to 2.2 million workers. Michigan was one of the first states to begin issuing the additional $600 pandemic benefit from the U.S. government.

LANSING, Mich. – A major compliant for thousands of Michiganders working to collect unemployment benefits has been trying to reach someone on the phone to answer questions. With Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency offices closed, residents have no choice but to rely on the website or phone -- but some changes are being made to make it easier. Millions of Michiganders have filed for unemployment and many have collected, while others have had issues from fraud to basic problems like reaching a person. The website had many issues early on -- it simply couldn’t keep up with the enormous demand and the phone system kept crashing. However, UIA branch offices remain closed with no open date scheduled.

LANSING, Mich. – Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents could lose their unemployment benefits if lawmakers don’t act in the next few days, according to Gov. On Tuesday, she called on the Republican-leg legislature to return to the Capitol and negotiate new orders. The two side haven’t been able to reach agreements since Whitmer extended the state of emergency without legislative approval in April. “These are the men and women who’ve lost a job and were counting on expanded benefits to put food on the table for their kids,” Whitmer said. On Sept. 8, Whitmer signed a bill to allow Michigan residents who qualify for unemployment to earn an extra $300 per week.

Michigan unemployment worker charged with stealing money from agency amid record demandPublished: August 26, 2020, 5:44 pmA Michigan unemployment worker has been charged with stealing money from the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency at a time when thousands of residents are still having trouble getting benefits.

A Michigan unemployment worker has been charged with stealing money from the states Unemployment Insurance Agency at a time when thousands of residents are still having trouble getting benefits. More than 1.5 million Michigan residents have filed for unemployment benefits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but the need is so great that many people have had trouble collecting their payments. READ: FEMA approves Michigan for additional $300 in weekly unemployment paymentsNow, officials are investigating a disturbing new twist: employees on the inside stealing from the UIA. Anyone who steals unemployment funds steals form the people of Michigan.Rose and another employee, Serenity Poynter 36, of Detroit, are accused of filing almost 100 fraudulent unemployment claims. Investigators said they used Poynters name to file the claims and used different social security numbers.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. The federal governments $600 per week coronavirus (COVID-19) unemployment bonus is set to expire by the end of the month, but will it be extended before then? Michigans economy is in a strange place, as businesses that have reopened are having a hard time finding workers who are making more money through unemployment. PREVIOUS: Will extra COVID-19 unemployment benefits be extended or replaced by back-to-work bonus? Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D) got emotional Thursday while talking about the number of unemployed people across Michigan and the country. Part of the program extended benefits to many who otherwise wouldnt qualify, especially small business owners.

DETROIT – Many businesses in Metro Detroit and around the state of Michigan are having a hard time finding workers since the coronavirus (COVID-19) unemployment bonuses don’t expire until the end of the month. Help wanted signs have been popping up all around town as businesses battle a lack of workers. “The economy can’t restart fully until employees are willing to return to work,” Block said. The shortage of workers should end after July, unless Congress decides to approve another stimulus. The state unemployment rate is at around 20% despite the many job availabilities.

DETROIT – A new scam is targeting thousands of Michigan residents who are still struggling to get answers about their unemployment benefits. Scammers are on social media offering people help with their unemployment problems in exchange for cash. Scams have made the process even more difficult, and now, there’s a warning from Attorney General Dana Nessel about scammers on social media. Those scammers are offering help to Michiganders, but unfortunately, they only want to steal their money. “Do not, under any circumstances, pay a fee or offer up your personal information to someone on social media.”

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LANSING, Mich. Michiganders struggling to get their unemployment benefits told lawmakers how frustrating the system is Thursday. An estimated 1.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits across the United States last week. Applications peaked at about 7 million applications in March. In Michigan, many residents are still having problems getting their unemployment benefits, leading to Thursdays hearing. Lawmakers heard complaints from employers and employees, all frustrated with the unemployment system.

DETROIT – With the extra $600 in unemployment benefits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis set to expire next month, will the weekly payment be extended or replaced by a new “back-to-work” bonus? President Donald Trump’s administration wants to replace the $600 unemployment payment with a new “back-to-work” bonus. What does this mean for Michigan residents collecting unemployment right now? Millions of Americans, and around 1.3 million Michiganders, are collecting unemployment right now. “The idea is to give a bonus to incentivize people to come off of unemployment and go back to work,” financial expert Kirk Cassidy said.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Michigan unemployment filers are fuming Monday after they showed up to an office that was supposed to be open and found it is still shut down. This is the latest bump in the road for Michiganders struggling to claim their unemployment benefits. Some drove a long distance, hoping to finally talk with a real person at the Michigan Unemployment Agency. Residents saw online that the office in Sterling Heights would be open Monday, and all day, a steady stream of people arrived and were disappointed to learn that wasn’t the case. PREVIOUSLY: Attorney threatens lawsuit over Michigan freezing unemployment paymentsThere is some good news on the unemployment front.

DETROIT – An attorney is trying to help people who are in a battle with the state of Michigan after unemployment payments to thousands of residents were paused during an investigation into fraudulent claims. State officials are rushing to investigate the fraudulent unemployment claims, which led to payments to thousands of people -- including those with legitimate claims -- to be frozen. READ: Scammers causing even more delays for Michigan unemployment systemThe Michigan unemployment system has been a mess, and it’s a challenge for many residents to get their benefits, according to attorney Jennifer Lord. Right now, almost 350,000 Michiganders have their unemployment locked due to scams and identity thieves. She said even though it’s frustrating, the best thing residents can do is continue to rely on the resources available online.

DETROIT An attorney is threatening to sue the state of Michigan after unemployment payments to thousands of residents were paused during an investigation into fraudulent claims. State officials are rushing to investigate the fraudulent unemployment claims, which led to payments to thousands of people -- including those with legitimate claims -- to be frozen. READ: Scammers causing even more delays for Michigan unemployment systemNow, a lawyer is threatening legal action. The Michigan unemployment system has been a mess, and its a challenge for many residents to get their benefits, according to attorney Jennifer Lord. She said even though its frustrating, the best thing residents can do is continue to rely on the resources available online.