LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Nearly 48,000 Michigan residents are seeing their bank accounts swell by a combined $34 million this week, courtesy of retroactive unemployment increases signed into law last December. 

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency reviewed more than 78,000 claims filed between Jan. 1 and April 1, 2025, under Public Act 173 of 2024—raising the maximum weekly benefit from $362 to $446—and determined roughly 47,900 qualified for additional back pay.

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“This money will help thousands of Michiganders across the state pay their bills and feed their families,” Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), said. “This is one of the many benefits from bipartisan legislation signed into law by Governor Whitmer last December.”

According to a Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) press release, claimants can check their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) —or await the mailed copy—for a Monetary Redetermination Letter outlining any rate change.

While the new law boosts the maximum benefit length from 20 to 26 weeks, only the rate increase is being paid retroactively; claimants will not receive back pay for extra weeks. 

Moreover, Public Act 173 doesn’t stop at weekly rates: it also doubles dependent allowances to $12.66 per child and sets future increases. The weekly benefit will rise to $530 and the dependent credit to $19.33 on Jan. 1, 2026, then to $614 and $26 on Jan. 1, 2027, after which all adjustments will be tied to inflation.