$ 300 COVID-19 unemployment payments slowly paving the way for Michigan residents

The battle to collect unemployment benefits continues for many Michigan residents, but state officials said the $ 300 COVID-19 bonus It is coming soon.

It is the money many people are waiting for, and charging the Unemployment Insurance Agency has been a frustrating challenge.

You can hear from a resident struggling with the UIA in the Help Me Hank report above.

The $ 300 owed to many Michiganders is part of the the $ 900 billion stimulus package. State officials said the money is dwindling to reach Michigan.

UIA officials admit there were problems with the release of funds.

“These workers must be sure that they will not lose any benefits and will receive every dollar they are entitled to once the programs are fully implemented,” said a UIA spokesman.

According to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunities, the state started issuing payments for about 365,000 applicants this weekend.

READ: Whitmer signs $ 106 million relief bill and extends COVID-19 unemployment benefits until March

Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments go from December 27, 2020 to March 13, 2021. They offer an additional $ 300 in benefits per week for Michigan claimants who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Claimants do not need to take any action to receive additional payments. They will be paid automatically after being certified.

“The UIA team worked tirelessly to ensure that Michigan was one of the first states to implement the PUC program,” said UIA interim director, Liza Estlund Olson. “Now that we have received additional guidance from USDOL, we remain committed to implementing the remaining federal programs of PUA and PEUC as soon as possible to free up money.”