UNEMPLOYED MICHIGAN WORKERS CAN CLAIM UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THROUGHOUT THANKSGIVING WEEK Unemployment payments may be delayed slightly

Contact: Norm Isotalo 313-456-2939

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

NOVEMBER 23, 2010 --- Although the state of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be closed for two days this week because of Thanksgiving, unemployed workers can still contact the agency's automated MARVIN system throughout the week to claim their unemployment benefits.

"MARVIN (Michigan's Automated Response Voice Interactive Network) knows no holidays," UIA Director Stephen Geskey said. "So, while our offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, MARVIN will still be available by telephone or online all week, Monday through Saturday."

Unemployed workers claiming benefits in Michigan must contact MARVIN by telephone or online once every two weeks to certify that they are unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits. After the MARVIN contact, their benefits are normally authorized and issued on the next business day.

He said unemployed workers will see a one or two day delay in having their benefits either directly deposited into their bank accounts or loaded onto their debit card due to the Thanksgiving holiday, which Michigan state government and most financial institutions observe. Generally, unemployment benefits are received two to three business days after an unemployed worker contacts MARVIN.

"Individuals contacting MARVIN this Wednesday or Thursday may not receive their payment until next Monday or Tuesday, while those contacting MARVIN on Friday may not receive their benefits until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week," Geskey said.

"It takes two to three business days for electronic payments to reach an individual's bank account or debit card," Geskey said. "While MARVIN will accept the individual's certification, the holiday could cause delays in processing by banks."

Individuals contact MARVIN at specific times according to a Monday through Wednesday schedule based on the last two digits of their Social Security numbers or anytime on Thursday or Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on most Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

MARVIN can be reached toll-free at 1-866-638-3993 or online at www.michigan.gov/uia.

Geskey noted that agency call centers and Problem Resolution Offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday.