Unemployed Michigan workers who have exhausted all of their unemployment benefits this year should watch their mailboxes this week, as workers will start receiving instructions during the week of November 16 for claiming the new federal jobless benefit extension, Michigan’s Unemployment In - surance Agency announced Friday, November 13.

"The Unemployment Insurance Agency will send letters to some 70,000 to 80,000 jobless workers who may be eligible for additional federal Emergency Unemploy - ment Compensation," said Stephen Geskey, director. "It will explain what steps they need to take in order to claim these new benefits."

Unemployed workers use Michigan's Automated Response Voice Interactive Network, or MARVIN, to submit information.

"We fully expect that these unemployed workers will be able to start contacting our MARVIN system either by phone or online during Thanksgiving week to certify about their eligibility for these federal benefits," he said. "Individuals must contact MARVIN on their regular appointment time and day during the week of November 22."

Since he anticipates the volume of calls to MARVIN will surge from Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, Mr. Geskey reminded people that the system is also available by telephone (866-638-3993) and online (www.michigan.gov/uia) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. most Saturdays, even during holidays.

Some workers will receive a single full week payment, and some will receive less than a full week’s payment initially, he said, with the difference to be made up in December.

The new extension comes in three parts. Tier II provides up to one full week of federal benefits; Tier III provides up to 13 weeks of federal benefits, and Tier IV provides up to six weeks of federal benefits in high unemployment states, such as Michigan.

Mr. Geskey cautioned, however, that all four tiers of the program are due to expire December 31. Individuals collecting benefits on December 31 will be able to collect the remaining benefits they are entitled, but they will be unable to move into the next tier, so few Michigan workers will actually collect full Tier IV benefits, as most will not exhaust their Tier III benefits before December 31.