Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order Wednesday that will extend temporary expansions on unemployment eligibility.
Executive Order 2020-57 expands the state's workshare program that's offering more tools to employers to reduce layoffs.
Unemployment benefits are also extended to workers who voluntarily left a job after accepting new employment, but were unable to start the new position because of the pandemic.
This is the third expansion of unemployment benefits since the coronavirus pandemic hit the state.
“No one should have to worry about how to make ends meet during this unprecedented public health crisis” Whitmer said. “By extending eligibility for unemployment benefits, we can help give hard-working Michiganders some financial peace of mind as we continue flattening the COVID-19 curve across Michigan.”
Here is what else the order does:
- Allows anyone with an active unemployment claim to receive up to 26 weeks of benefits
- Suspends the requirement for an individual seeking unemployment to request a registration and work search waiver from their employer
- Allows Unemployment Insurance Agency retirees to keep their retirement benefits if they return to work to process unemployment claims or serve on the Occupational Health and Safety Commission
- Expands cost-sharing with employers to reduce layoffs
More information can be found here .