MAINE – PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BEGINS MAY 1, 2026 The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Authority confirmed that benefits will begin on May 1, 2026. According to the law under which Paid Family and Medical Leave was authorized, benefits were set to begin on May 1;

MINNESOTA – PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ROLLOUT, CLARIFICATION On January 1, 2026, Minnesota officially rolled out its Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). PFML provides job protection and payments to individuals who need time off to care for themselves or loved ones, including qualifying medical reasons, bonding, military, caring,

IRS – EXTENDS TRANSITION PERIOD FOR PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE TAX REQUIREMENTS In January 2025, the IRS issued additional guidance regarding federal tax and reporting requirements associated with Paid Family and Medical Leave for all participating states. After several states requested an extension in order to implement required changes, the

US DOL – CENTRALIZED UI PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE In October, Thomas & Company reported on the Unemployment Centralization Pilot Program, announced by the US Department of Labor (US DOL). According to the US DOL, the intention is not to pilot initial claims intake or processing but rather serve as a

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thomas & Company wishes you a Happy New Year! We look forward to what we can accomplish together in the new year! QUARTERLY REPORTS AND FILINGS REMINDER Fourth quarter 2025 reporting for most states will open this week, on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This includes Unemployment Insurance

MICHIGAN – WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT INCREASES IN 2026 In December 2024, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation with sweeping updates to Michigan unemployment law, including changes that will continue to impact Michiganders through 2027. Earlier this year, the law increased the maximum weeks of benefits from 20 to 26 and

ALASKA – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE, DEADLINE EXTENDED Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to individuals who were affected by storms in Western Alaska, including Typhoon Halong. As a reminder, DUA is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster and is only available to individuals who: Have

MICHIGAN – MiUI ROLLOUT POSTPONED The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s announced yesterday that the rollout of the new MiUI tax functions for employers and TPAs has been delayed and will now launch in early 2026. Additional information, including a dedicated Learning Center, MiUI University, is available on

MICHIGAN – TAXABLE WAGE BASE TO REMAIN THE SAME IN 2026 FOR MOST EMPLOYERS The taxable wage base for employers in good standing will remain the same in 2026, at $9,000 per employee. Employers who do not meet the specified requirements will have a taxable wage base of $9,500 per