MI HB5725

Benefits paid to claimants laid off or placed on leave of absence due to COVID-19 must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account rather than the employer's account, except for employers determined to have misclassified workers.

Individuals filing initial claims because of COVID-19 are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits or a minimum of 14 weeks, regardless of the standard 20-week maximum for claims filed after January 15, 2012.

Individuals may leave work involuntarily without disqualification if they self-isolate or self-quarantine due to elevated COVID-19 risk, including immunocompromised status, symptoms, exposure, or family care responsibilities resulting from government COVID-19 directives.

The unemployment agency may waive work search, registration, and availability requirements if COVID-19 would prevent an individual from meeting those requirements.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may obtain approval for shared-work plans without meeting standard eligibility requirements, and individuals on COVID-19-related leave of absence are considered unemployed unless already receiving sick leave or disability benefits.