SBAM Guide to Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Changes
A practical resource hub for Michigan small businesses, employers, third-party administrators and workers navigating unemployment law changes and the transition to MiUI.
Employer Account Activation
Activate your employer account
MiUI tax functions are already live. Benefits functions are scheduled to launch November 9, 2026. Every employer must maintain its own MiUI account, including employers that use a third-party administrator. Activate now, then confirm that the people handling claims have the appropriate benefits permissions.
Key Dates
February 23, 2026
MiUI tax functions launched. Employers and TPAs use MiUI for quarterly wage and tax reports, wage-file uploads and other tax functions.
July 17–19, 2026
Changes to work search, Work Share, appeals, hardship waivers and the domestic violence voluntary-quit exception took effect. These statutory changes are separate from the technology rollout.
November 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
MiWAM will permanently shut down, and MiUI will begin a downtime as benefits services are launched. During the downtime, MiWAM and MiUI, the customer-service and employer-ombudsman phone lines, and local offices will all be unavailable. UIA’s website and chatbot stay up. Employers should retrieve activation codes before this cutoff.
November 9, 2026, at 8 a.m.
MiUI for benefits goes live. MiUI is then available for all tax and benefits functions.
January 1, 2027
The maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate increases from $530 to $614.
Unemployment Law Changes
What changed in unemployment law?
Benefit amounts and duration
Eligible claims filed in 2026 may qualify for up to $530 per week. The maximum duration is 26 weeks, increased from 20 in April 2025. Not every claimant qualifies for the maximum amount or duration.
Work search
Since July 19, 2026, claimants must complete and report at least three unique work search activities each week unless a waiver applies. Failure to meet reporting requirements can prevent payment or result in repayment obligations.
Work Share
Since July 19, 2026, approved Work Share plans can reduce weekly hours by 10%–60%, expanded from 15%–45%. The program allows participating employees to receive partial unemployment benefits while working reduced hours.
Appeals
Since July 17, 2026, employers and claimants can request that related issues on the same claim be consolidated into one hearing. Consolidation is subject to approval.
Hardship waivers
Since July 17, 2026, individuals can apply for up to four financial hardship waivers per year. Applying does not guarantee approval; UIA’s law-changes page explains the financial criteria and protest and appeal rights.
Domestic violence exception
Since July 17, 2026, workers who leave a job due to domestic violence may qualify if other eligibility requirements are met. Benefits are charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, rather than an employer’s experience account.
Employer Checklist
How to activate MiUI
Find your activation code.
Log into MiWAM and open the MiUI Activation Code tab to retrieve your 8-digit code. Users with the MiWAM Master role can see the tab. If it is missing, submit your EAN, username and title through the Employer–TPA Issue Tracker using the MiWAM issue type. Use the tracker for an account-owner change if the owner has left your company.
Access MiUI through MiLogin for Business.
Use the MiUI for Employers link and sign in to an existing MiLogin for Business account or create one. MiWAM credentials cannot be used for MiLogin for Business.
Initiate your existing employer account.
Have your Employer Account Number (EAN), Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and activation code ready. Use the existing-account initiation option, rather than registering an already registered business as new.
Confirm account information and permissions.
Review addresses, contact information, reporting units and any payment plan. Confirm your TPA association and benefits-role assignments. A business that is both an employer and a TPA needs separate accounts and activation codes for those roles.
Already activated? Check benefits access
Activation alone is not the end of preparation. Review the benefits roles for internal users and TPAs, especially if separate providers handle your tax and benefits responsibilities. Existing tax permissions may not include benefits permissions.
Edit Claims Forms Mailing allows submission and updates to separation information. Edit Benefit Charges allows users to view benefit charges and protest charges against the employer account. These roles can be assigned now but become functional with the November 9 benefits launch. A view-only Benefit Charges role is also available.
Small Business Briefing
Watch: SBAM’s conversation with UIA Director Jason Palmer
Watch the September 28, 2026 Small Business Briefing featuring UIA Director Jason Palmer and SBAM President & CEO Brian Calley. The discussion covers modernization, law changes, employer readiness and Work Share. Watch the full conversation below for more on what these changes mean for Michigan employers.
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