Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Michigan

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit, the law presumes you left voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer, and you have the burden of proof to show otherwise. Cutting yourself to part time, missing 3 work days in a row without calling, or carelessly losing something the job required (if you were told at hire) are treated as quitting. To quit for medical reasons, before leaving you must get a medical statement that the job would harm your health, try to get other work with the employer, and try to get a leave of absence.

Examples the state names:

• Leaving unsuitable work within 60 days after starting it, during a benefit year
• Leaving because your spouse, a full-time member of the U.S. Armed Forces, is reassigned to another location
• Leaving one part-time job while keeping another job
• Leaving because you are a victim of domestic violence (from July 17, 2026, if you meet the law's requirements)

If you were fired

You are disqualified if you were suspended or fired for misconduct connected with your work or for being intoxicated at work. Other disqualifying firings named in the law include assault and battery, theft or willful destruction of property connected with work, illegal drug use or possession at work, refusing a required drug test or testing positive, and absence because you were jailed after a conviction. UIA gathers information from you and your employer before deciding.

If benefits are denied for the separation

Quit without good cause: you must earn at least 12 times your weekly benefit rate in new covered work to requalify. Misconduct: at least 17 times your weekly benefit rate. Some disqualifications (such as theft, assault, property destruction or drug-related firings) require 26 requalifying weeks and cut your benefits by 13 weeks; others (such as refusing suitable work) require 13 requalifying weeks.

Refusing work

Refusing suitable work, failing to apply for suitable work you were told about, or not returning to customary self-employment when directed, without good cause, disqualifies you until you complete 13 requalifying weeks.

Law: MCL 421.29(1), (3)

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

Job contacts per week: 3

You must be able to work, available for full-time work and actively looking for full-time work. Since July 19, 2026, UIA requires at least 3 work search activities each week, reported when you certify. Your benefits are not paid until you report them. Activities include contacting employers (beyond just asking about openings), submitting applications, using employment offices or Michigan Works!, and attending job fairs or workshops. Looking at listings without contacting an employer does not count. After you collect half of your weeks, you must apply for and accept any suitable work.

Records to keep

For each activity record the date (within the Sunday-Saturday week), the activity, the employer or website name, the address or web address (or phone or fax number), and how you made contact. Keep a detailed copy; your work search can be audited at any time. The handbook has a Work Search Activity Worksheet.

Law: MCL 421.28(1)(a); Public Act 238 of 2024 (UIA law changes page)

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

If you are not a U.S. citizen, have your USCIS number and the expiration date of your work authorization card ready when you apply.

Free help

Call 1-866-500-0017. Legal aid and other free help in Michigan → Official sources →