A Southfield man has been sentenced for using identity theft to obtain more than $400,000 in unemployment insurance benefits.

DETROIT – Thousands of Michigan residents are expected to file for unemployment benefits in the coming weeks as those working in the service and entertainment industries take another hit amid new COVID-19-related closures. As the Michigan health department’s new coronavirus measures take effect, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is working to beef up its workforce and improve technology to serve those in need. These efforts have positioned the agency to better deal with large fluctuations of demand if necessary,” UIA interim director said. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said people returning to unemployment because of COVID-19 should reopen previous claims, not make a new one. Use the same login information as you did the first time you claimed unemployment.

Kohl is the director of the University of Michigan Workers Rights Project, which helps workers get unemployment benefits free of charge. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to cover more workers who are not typically covered by many state unemployment programs (like low-income workers, part time workers, self-employed workers, independent contractors, etc.). See the above example about how receiving a pension in Michigan will reduce or eliminate that claimant's ability to collect unemployment benefits. Discuss the balance between a healthy worker not feeling comfortable with returning to a now-opened business that may want to end the unemployment benefits. Plus, the unemployment benefits from workshare programs are paid from the CARES Act's funds rather than states' trust funds.