Step by step instructions for filing for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application or PUA in Michigan if you are self employed

At the federal government level The CARES Act made those who are self employed, and “gig workers” eligible for unemployment if COVID-19 put a serious damper on our ability to operate our business. This program is called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application or PUA it is operating under similar rules as regular unemployment insurance.

Depending on your business going on unemployment might not be your best or only choice but if it is then below is how you do it.

First go to the Michigan unemployment site. For now this link should work: HERE but if the link doesn’t work just simply do a Google search for Michigan Unemployment and its one of the top results.

Video guide to file Michigan PUA unemployment if you want a video to follow, or the step-by step method is below with pictures.

Before you get started you will need to have the following to file for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application (PUA) in Michigan:

• Driver license number or state of Michigan ID number
• Mailing address
• County
• Method of Payment (bank account information if you want to have direct deposit)
• Alien Registration Number (if you are not a citizen or national of the United States)
• If you have 1099 income or self-employment income, verifiable documentation that you can scan/upload

Do this will bring you to the following page where you can click Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM):

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

First page of MiWAM:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

After you click Sign In it makes you wait in a virtual lobby. This may be due to the level of traffic.

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Once you actually log in you will be asked for your Profile Information:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

After you submit you should receive a confirmation:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Then you need to prove your identity:

Michigan Unemployment Insurance contract worker and gig worker filing help

Once you go onto the next step if you have never received unemployment benefits before it will tell you. Be very careful that your information is 100% correct as it states clearly that you can not change information without calling 866-500-0017. I assume it will give a different variation if you have had a prior unemployment insurance claim before:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application or PUA after you hit submit:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

COVID-19 Qualifications (note if you are self employed there is a box you must check):

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Once you identify that you are self employed most likely because the system was never designed to do this before it gives you the option to just take the state of Michigan minimum of $160 weekly and continue the process. If you have reasonable documentation to show that you would earn enough to qualify for more then of course this is the better route.

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

If you want to verify income then you identify it here:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Next add the documentation to back up what you said on this page if you want to verify income:

Note: If you have AD BLOCK plus on the pop up you need to select will not appear. You can disable and refresh the page without complication in my experience.

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Now you need to provide identification information again:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Here you identify what kind of occupation that you have and if you want dependents to be factored into the income and exemptions if you want taxes taken out before you receive income. YES, you have to pay income taxes on your unemployment.

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Select if you want a debit card or direct deposit (direct deposit will be faster).

For Debit Card payment method:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

For Direct Deposit:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

What kind of correspondence do you want the paperless (aka Go Green) or Paper (sent via the mail).

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Your Unemployment Benefits Rights:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

DON’T COMMIT FRAUD – serious penalties:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Review the information you filled out, make sure it is accurate as changing to correct information at a later date is very difficult:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Get your confirmation number# and identify that you are done.

NOTE: If you hit Continue Editing it just has you go back through the items you already filled out. Even though it seems incorrect to do so hit the Finish Later button to conclude your process.

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

If you hit Finish Later you see this screen:

Step by step instructions for filing for unemployment in Michigan if you are self employed

Congratulations you are done for now. You will need to certify with MARVIN or MARVIN online in approximately 1 week but specifically what it says on the last screen.

If you happen to miss your certification window with MARVIN or MARVIN Online check out our guide on what to do next.

Good Luck! Stay Safe!