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Governor Whitmer has temporarily expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits.
The order is effective immediately, and will run through April 14th.
The people eligible for the extension include workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including child care responsibilities due to school closures, and those forced to care for a loved one, who has become ill.
Workers who are sick, quarantined or otherwise immunocompromised, who don’t have access to paid medical leave or who are laid off and first responders who become ill or quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19.
Self employed workers and independent contractors will also be given extensions such as an increase in benefits from 20 to 26 weeks, an eligibility period extended from 14 to 28 days and in person registration and work search requirements, will also be waived.
Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Jeff Donofrio said “We know many families are and will experience economic pain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A links on how to apply for benefits is here.
