Michigan Telephone System for Taking Unemployment Claims is Completed!

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Michigan Telephone System for Taking Unemployment Claims is Completed!
        Jobless Michigan workers can let their fingers do the walking
                         to file unemployment claims

    DETROIT, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan's unemployment insurance program
has moved jobless workers from long unemployment lines to telephone lines when
applying for unemployment benefits.
    "Our telephone-based system for taking unemployment claims is successfully
up and running statewide," David Plawecki, a deputy director for the state
Department of Consumer & Industry Services.  "Jobless workers can now dial to
file by calling our special toll-free application line, or they can file
through the Internet."
    The telephone number for unemployed workers to call when filing a new
claim or to reopen an established claim is 1-866-500-0017.  The number is
accessible from all Michigan area codes and throughout the U.S. and Canada.
    "The phone process is faster and more convenient and will save jobless
workers the time and expense of driving to an unemployment office as they did
in the past," Plawecki said.
    "In addition, the telephone process gives workers immediate confirmation
that their applications have been received and entered into the state's
unemployment insurance system, removing one of the major uncertainties that
unemployed workers have with the mail-in process."
    To file by telephone, jobless workers must use the following call-in
schedule.  The schedule is based on the last two digits of the caller's Social
Security number.  For example, an unemployed worker whose Social Security
number ends in 27 would call in between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

    Time             Monday    Tuesday    Wednesday    Thursday and Friday
    8:00 a.m. -
    12:30 p.m.       00-15      34-48       67-81
                                                           Open Call-In
    12:30 p.m. -
    4:30 p.m.        16-33      49-66       82-99
      Eastern Time

    Workers who are unable to call on their appointed day and time can dial
the toll-free number anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday or
Friday.
    "In the past, it took unemployed workers in some areas of the state an
average of six hours to file an unemployment claim, when you consider time for
travel to the office; completing and reviewing the application with
unemployment staff; and then going over informational materials," Plawecki
said.
    "Now, it only take 20 minutes to file by phone and then another hour or so
for workers to review, on their own, printed materials about their rights and
responsibilities," he explained.
    The Bureau of Workers' & Unemployment Compensation (BWUC) began phasing in
its telephone claim system by regions in early 2003.  As telephone claims
became available, local unemployment offices were closed.  Today, November 14,
the bureau is closing its last group of local claims-taking offices in Canton,
Detroit eastside, Flint, Lapeer, Monroe, Port Huron and Sterling Heights.
    "With the closing of these offices, we are moving completely away from the
paper application process," Plawecki said.  "Unemployed workers throughout the
state should now file their benefit claims by telephone or by Internet."
    Claims can be filed online at the bureau's website
(http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc ) on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    To help those who may have problems with or questions about their
unemployment claims, BWUC will temporarily maintain six problem resolution
offices.  The offices are in Dearborn, Detroit Westside, Grand Rapids,
Lansing, Madison Heights and Saginaw.  In early 2004, the bureau will have
permanent problem resolution offices in the Detroit area, Lansing area,
Gaylord/Grayling and Marquette area.
    Plawecki pointed out that the new telephone filing system also allows
jobless workers to inquire about their claims.  The inquiry feature is for
those who have filed by telephone or Internet within the past 60 days and have
questions about their unemployment claims.  Callers can dial the telephone
filed claims hotline (1-866-500-0017) for assistance on weekdays from
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    The Bureau also operates a general question toll-free customer service
telephone hotline at 1-800-638-3995 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
    Bureau of Workers' & Unemployment Compensation news releases are available
at the bureau's website (http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc ).
SOURCE Bureau of Workers' & Unemployment Compensation
http://www.michigan.gov/bwuc
CONTACT:
Norm Isotalo of Bureau of Workers' &
Unemployment Compensation, +1-313-456-2939,
IsotaloNormanH@Michigan.gov