Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Michigan

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

up to $530

Maximum: claims filed on or after January 1, 2026 (it rises to $614 for claims filed on or after January 1, 2027)

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit rate is 4.1% of the wages you were paid in the highest-paid quarter of your base period, plus $19.33 for each dependent (up to 5), rounded down to the whole dollar. The maximum is $530 for claims filed in 2026. Your Monetary Determination shows the calculation.

Dependents

You get $19.33 more per week for each dependent, up to five, but not above the $530 maximum. A dependent is a family member (such as a spouse, child or stepchild) who got more than half of their support from you for at least 90 days before your benefit year began.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: MCL 421.27(b)(1)

The wage test

For claims filed in 2026, you need at least $5,328 in wages in at least one quarter of your base period, wages in at least two quarters, and total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. If you do not meet the 1.5 rule, you may still qualify if you have wages in at least two quarters totaling at least $26,677.60; the $5,328 one-quarter minimum still applies.

Law: 388.06 times Michigan's $13.73 minimum wage

UIA first uses your standard base period: the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you do not qualify that way, UIA automatically looks at the alternate base period: the four most recently completed calendar quarters.

The state's wage tests

• At least $5,328 in your highest quarter (2026), wages in 2 quarters, and total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter
• Alternate earnings qualifier: at least $5,328 in one quarter, and wages in 2 quarters totaling at least $26,677.60 (20 x the 2026 state average weekly wage)

Law: MCL 421.45, 421.46(b), (c)

Official source: Source page

Estimate your weekly benefit

Enter the gross wages (before taxes) you were paid in each quarter of your base period. We apply the state's own formula to your numbers.

The state's formula: your highest quarter × 4.1%, rounded down; at most $530

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

UIA figures your number of weeks by taking 43% of your total base-period wages, dividing by your weekly benefit rate, and rounding down to the nearest half week. You get at least 14 and at most 26 weeks in your 52-week benefit year.

Extra weeks and training

If UIA approves you for training benefits, the usual limit on total benefits does not apply while you are in approved training.

Law: MCL 421.27(d), (g)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Michigan does not have an unpaid waiting week. On a new claim, UIA holds the first payment until 10 days after the mail date on your Monetary Determination so employers can respond.

Law: MCL 421.27, 421.28

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can work part time and get partial benefits. Your weekly benefit is cut by 50 cents for each whole $1 you earn that week. Your benefits plus earnings cannot be more than 1.5 times your weekly benefit rate; above that, benefits are cut $1 for each $1 over. Any week you get a partial payment counts as one full week off your balance of weeks. Report total gross earnings for the week you did the work, even if you have not been paid yet.

Law: MCL 421.27(c)(2)-(4)

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

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