Unemployment benefits to be delayed

MLive reports that the unemployment benefits extension approved by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last week will take several weeks to go out to those who qualify for them. Though the payments will be made retroactive to Nov. 8, the state does not expect to actually send any money out until at least the middle of December:

“The agency anticipates making payments as quickly as possible and will post information on its website (www.michigan.gov/uia) once it has a firm starting date for issuing the benefit payments,” agency spokesman Norm Isotalo said via e-mail.

“There are, however, changes that must be made to the agency’s computer payment system. Before these changes can go into production, they must be thoroughly tested to ensure accurate benefit payments. In fact, staff is now in the process of developing and testing these changes.”

Other factors adding to the delay, Isotalo said, include receiving final instructions for implementing the extension from the federal government and preparing protocols for state unemployment staff. Workers must also develop accounts, coding and other measures to ensure accurate record-keeping, he said.

Lastly, unemployment payments can’t be made any earlier than the third week following the Emergency Unemployment Compensation effective date of Nov. 8. Unemployed workers must certify through the state’s MARVIN system that they were unemployed and meet eligibility requirements forthe prior two weeks.

More than 70,000 Michigan residents are expected to qualify for the extended unemployment benefits immediately, with over 100,000 becoming eligible by the end of the year. But the delays in actually receiving the payments couldn’t be happening at a worse time with the holidays looming.