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If you receive a letter from the State of Michigan about recertifying for unemployment, PLEASE DO NOT INGORE IT.
Here’s the announcement from the Michigan Association of Realtors,
Do Not Ignore Important UIA Communication
We have recently become aware that some Realtors® have received a communication from the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (“UIA”) requesting a response and recertification regarding qualifications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”). As you may know, last year the scope of PUA was expanded to include those independent contractors who were unable to work due to the pandemic and related governmental stay-at-home mandates.
If you received this letter from UIA, do not ignore it. The request for information is intended to harmonize UIA’s record keeping and list of qualifying reasons for PUA. When the PUA benefit was launched in Michigan, the UIA included certain qualifications that were not approved by the US Department of Labor. As a result, the UIA must reevaluate the qualifications of many past PUA recipients.
Insofar as we know, most Realtors® that received PUA last year did so under the qualifying provision that they are an independent contractor who “has been affected by COVID-19.” The new qualifying language is slightly different and refers to the independent contractor having “experienced a significant reduction of my customary or usual services as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.” While this may appear to be a distinction without a difference, if you do not recertify, you may be required to pay back the money you received.
If you received this letter, you should log onto the UIA Portal and follow the instructions to submit an updated self-attestation within 20 days of receiving the letter. In any event, you should not ignore the communication. As part of UIA’s process, they are looking for PUA benefits that were paid out without a valid reason. You will want to reinforce that your benefits were proper to avoid a redetermination from UIA, even if you have not filed for benefits since last year. If you have questions about any communication from UIA, you should contact UIA directly through its website: https://www.michigan.gov
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime.
I am always here to help.
Thanks!
Craig