In an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson dismissed one plaintiff and three defendants but ruled that the case will move forward. – Michigan residents whose unemployment claims were wrongfully rejected as fraudulent by a computer system can sue the system’s developers and state officials, a federal judge has ruled. In an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson dismissed one plaintiff and three defendants but ruled that the case will move forward. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office, which represents the state defendants, is “still reviewing the decision with our clients,” spokeswoman Courtney Covington Watkins said. A similar lawsuit against the state is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court.

That includes a Metro Detroit man who investigators said withdrew nearly $150,000 before he was arrested. The scheme spread across two states and involved fake social security numbers, addresses and driver’s license numbers. The investigator reported large cash withdrawals at bank machines across Oakland County. Federal investigators said Baker received unemployment benefits from Pennsylvania in various victims’ names on the prepaid debit cards and used those cards to make the cash withdrawals. Surveillance images from the banks where cash withdrawals were made were used to identify Baker.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LANSING, Mich. – An additional 81,000 people filed initial claims for unemployment in Michigan last week, bringing the six-week total to more than 1.2 million amid the coronavirus pandemic. The number of new filings dropped for the second straight week, according to a federal report released Thursday. Michigan has had some of the highest number of jobless claims in the country. They will receive an additional $600 a week through late July under the terms of a federal relief package. Related: Answering 4 key questions about Michigan’s unemployment benefits process