Effective March 24th, all Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass and Van Buren service centers will be closed for walk-in services and will shift to providing service remotely. Until further notice, Michigan Works! service center workshops, job fairs, and large group activities are postponed.
Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren is here to help you by email, phone, or remote appointment with job search and career services. While we can answer general questions about unemployment and tips to guide you through MIWAM, unfortunately we are unable to file claims or provide customer specific information about your unemployment claim because Michigan Works! is not the unemployment office. Please continue to try to register for unemployment with as much patience as possible.
To schedule a phone or virtual appointment, call us at 269-927-1799 or email us at info@miworks.org.
You can also get more information on our Online Resources page.
To file an unemployment claim, please file online at: Michigan.gov/UIA or call 1-866-500-0017 on your specified day of the week per the new schedule. You are not required to report in person at Michigan Works! to register for work.
On Monday, March 30, Governor Whitmer announced new programs to increase and expand Unemployment Benefits for workers affected by COVID-19; Benefits increased for all unemployed workers, expanded to self-employed and low-wage workers. For more information, click here.
For a walk-through on how to file a claim, click here.
On Monday, March 16, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-10 to temporarily expand eligibility and lift reporting requirements for unemployment benefits. Under the governor’s order, access to benefits for unemployed workers will also be extended:
• Benefits will be increased from 20 to 26 weeks.
• The application eligibility period will be increased from 14 to 28 days
• The normal in-person registration and work search requirements will be suspended.
For full details, please click here.
The coronavirus outbreak is rapidly evolving, and information and decisions are subject to change at any time. We will continue to follow the recommended guidelines by our public health authorities.