MICHIGAN – INCREASED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT AMOUNTS AND ADDITIONAL BENEFIT WEEKS AVAILABLE FOR CLAIMANTS BEGINNING THIS WEEK
Multiple benefit changes are now in effect as of today, April 2, for Michiganders filing for unemployment. The maximum weekly benefit amount is now $446, up from $362. Dependent pay (up to 5) is now $12.66, up from $6. Finally, the maximum benefit weeks is now 26, up from 20.
While legislation verbiage previously indicated an effective date of January 1, 2025 for these changes, the legislature did not give immediate effect to the legislation, which meant that the earliest the changes could be implemented was April 2, 2025.
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has indicated that they will review claims filed between January 1 and April 2 on a case-by-case basis to determine which claims qualify for higher benefit and dependent amounts. If a claimant qualifies for increased benefits, the UIA will retroactively pay the difference to the claimant. However, there will be no retractive adjustments to benefit week eligibility. Only those filing after April 2 will receive the new 26-week maximum.
NEBRASKA – NEW BILL ADJUSTS 2025 UNEMPLOYMENT TAX RATES
Legislative Bill 297, signed into law by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen on March 25, 2025, reduces unemployment tax rates for employers for the 2025 tax year. Amended 2025 rate notices will be sent in April.
While employers will remain in their 2025 assigned tax rate category, all categories have been adjusted based on the Bill to reflect 2024 rates for the 2025 year. Rates will now primarily range from 0.00% to 1.03% with a 5.40% rate for category 20, the highest (worst) possible category.
New employer rates will remain at 1.25% for non-construction employers and 5.40% for construction employers.
