Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Michigan Career & Technical Institute
Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
Black Leadership Advisory Council
Michigan Community Service Commission
Executive Order 2020-107 established Michigan Workforce Development Board
MiSTEM convenes a statewide network of leaders in education, business and local communities to empower the next generation of innovators.
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission
formerly MI Compensation Appellate Commission
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If approved for services, Michigan claimants and employers select their own Advocate from a statewide network of qualified independent contractors. Advocates are not UIA employees, they are independent contractors who agree through their UIA contract to follow the advocacy program standards. The Advocates are not required to be attorneys.
If you are interested in Advocacy assistance, contact the Advocacy Program after you have received a Notice of Hearing. Advocacy assistance must be requested no later than two business days before the hearing. Failure to timely secure an Advocate is not sufficient reason to reschedule a hearing.
Advocates will accompany and represent the claimant or employer at the hearing. Hearings are generally conducted by phone but may also be in-person.
Advocates will consult with claimants or employers regarding the merit and preparation of their cases. If the Advocate believes that the case has no merit, the Advocate will, prior to the scheduled hearing, provide the claimant or employer with a written explanation. Otherwise, the Advocate will provide representation, except for cases specifically excluded, at the scheduled hearing.
Advocacy services are not provided for the following cases:
Your Advocate will inform you during the consultation if your case is excluded because of:
Geographic Locations: The Advocacy Program is a statewide program but is not available for Interstate Benefit cases. While every effort is made to recruit sufficient numbers of Advocates to meet local needs, some geographic areas, from time to time, may not have as many Advocates as the demand requires.
Program Limitations: The Advocacy Program is designed to assist eligible claimants or employers, but it is not an entitlement and is limited by the availability of Advocates, time constraints, and funding which is determined by state appropriation.
Other Representation: If a claimant or employer obtains and pays for their own representation, they will not be reimbursed and the representative or attorney will not be paid through the Advocacy Program. (Dues paid to a trade association, nonprofit organization or labor organization will not disqualify an employer from receiving advocacy services.)