MICHIGAN – REMINDER: UPCOMING GO LIVE DATE FOR MiUI RELEASE, DOWNTIME SCHEDULED
As a final reminder, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be transitioning to a new tax and benefits system called MiUI this week.

Beginning this afternoon, Wednesday, February 18 at 4:30PM ET through Sunday, February 22, MiWAM will be inaccessible while the state works to transition functionality from MiWAM to the new MiUI platform. It is recommended that employers complete any required unemployment activities prior to the downtime to minimize disruptions and ensure timeliness of their activities. By Monday, February 23, MiUI should be live for tax functions and users will once again be able to access MiWAM with functionality now limited to benefits functions only.

For additional information associated with MiUI and this transition, the Michigan UIA has created a dedicated Learning Center, MiUI University, to ensure employers understand the new resource and are aware of upcoming transitions and important action items during this transition period.

WASHINGTON – PAID LEAVE PREMIMUM BALANCE STATEMENTS TO BE MAILED THIS SPRING

Beginning this spring, the Washington Employment Security Department will mail Paid Leave statements to employers, providing information about any premiums owed, to help employers stay current with reports and premium payments.

Employers should log in to their account to verify that their business mailing address and email address are accurate. Changes can be made at any time to ensure these notices are appropriately routed.

WASHINGTON – COLLECTIVE BARGAINNING AGREEMENT PROVISIONS EXPIRED, INDIVIDUALS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR BOTH PAID LEAVE AND WA CARES

Workers who were previously exempt and ineligible for benefits associated with WA Cares due to a collective bargaining agreement provision are now eligible for benefits. Beginning January 1, 2026, employers should communicate this change to any impacted employees and begin withholding WA Cares premiums from gross wages. For wage reports starting with Q1 2026, employers should no longer indicate that these workers are exempt.

Previously, in January 2024, these workers became eligible for Paid Leave benefits after the Paid Leave’s CBA provision expired.

Note that exemptions to these programs do still apply, including non-immigrant work visas or other approved exemptions.