SE Grand Rapids News

Rep. Julie Calley (R-Portland) heard testimony from Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Steve Gray in early September, after unemployment claims have skyrocketed over the past few months.

Since COVID-19 began, there have been almost 2.5 million Michigan residents who have filed for benefits, with 200,000 cases still requiring a resolution by the agency. Of the 200,000, 14,000 people have not seen any money from their claims, and many others are receiving only partial payments, according to information from Michigan House Republicans.

Calley responded, stating that the delays are “inexcusable" and that "the failures of the UIA are prohibiting families from putting food on the table. I appreciate the agency appearing before our committee and explaining the measures they are taking, but I continue to hear from people who are gravely impacted,” she told Michigan House Republicans.

The estimated delay, according to Calley, is around 90 days starting from the time the claimant contacts her office to the point at which the case is resolved. The waiting period of 90 days comes after the claimant already has been waiting and there is “nowhere else to turn.”

There seems to be an issue with the number of calls the agency is receiving and the agency being understaffed as to why it’s taking so long.

“After almost six months, UIA is only able to answer 63% of their daily phone calls. While this is admittedly an improvement, it is by no means acceptable. They’ve had half of a year to find and train adequate staff -- and we heard months ago from Director Gray that they were doubling and tripling their efforts to get calls answered as people endured long wait times," Calley told Michigan House Republicans.

The software is another area that seems to be lacking. Calley believes that if there was a better online system in place for claimants, there would be fewer calls being made.

“I continue to call on the UIA to open regional offices to assist people who are desperately in need of their services and have exhausted the options currently available to them,” Calley said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “Reopening branches would provide people with a one-on-one interaction that could quickly and sufficiently resolve issues with claims. Other state offices have reopened in a safe and responsible way to provide their services to customers, while UIA continues to stick with methods that aren’t working for Michiganders in need.”