unemployment benefit programs extended for Michigan workers

unemployment benefit programs extended for Michigan workers

by | Mar 19, 2021 | Regional News

Federal legislation extends unemployment benefit programs for Michigan workers

March 17, 2021

Media Contact: Lynda Robinson, 313-348-8220

A COVID-19 stimulus bill signed into law by President Biden continues federal unemployment insurance programs which were set to expire on March 13, 2021.

Individuals with claims of any type should continue to certify as usual. Most claimants will not experience a gap in benefits as long as they remain eligible and continue to certify.

Unemployment provisions under the federal American Rescue Plan are extended from March 13 – Sept. 4, 2021:

The relief package also includes the extension of 100% federal financing for the use of the Work Share program.

“Continuation of these federal benefit programs will provide some financial breathing room to Michigan workers as we continue to fight the effects of COVID-19,” said Liza Estlund Olson, acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency. “Because this legislation extends the current federal programs, we expect to be able to implement the changes without a delay in payments.”

Expanded PUA eligibility available:

In late February, the U.S. Dept. of Labor issued guidance expanding PUA eligibility to include three COVID-19 related reasons under which an individual may self-certify. The additional reasons address circumstances when an individual is directly affected by COVID-19 including:

  • Individuals who refuse to return to work that is unsafe or to accept an offer of new work that is unsafe (meaning it is not in compliance with local, state or national health and safety standards directly related to COVID-19).
  • Certain individuals who provide services to educational institutions or educational service agencies and are fully or partially unemployed as a direct result of COVID-19
  • Individuals experiencing a reduction of hours or a temporary or permanent layoff as a direct result of COVID-19.

The additional eligibility provisions apply retroactively to the beginning of the PUA program for those who filed before Dec. 27, 2020. For those who filed after Dec. 27, it is retroactive to Dec. 6, 2020.

Claimants who were previously denied PUA benefits will be notified with details on the new provisions and how to reapply for PUA benefits. Other state assistance programs are available for Michiganders who need assistance with making ends meet. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services MI Bridges program, claimants can apply for healthcare coverage, food and cash assistance and more. MI Bridges also lists helpful state and local resources.

Resources for jobseekers, including training, workshops, access to job fairs and more are available through local Michigan Works! service centers. Call 800-285-WORKS or visit MichiganWorks.org

For more information on unemployment programs, visit Michigan.gov/UIA.

Alliance of Coalitions offering FREE Narcan classes

Alliance of Coalitions offering FREE Narcan classes

by | Mar 18, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Join the Alliance for a free online class to assist you with the administration of Narcan should you be faced with saving a life during an opioid overdose emergency.

This interactive class, presented by a Certified Narcan & CPR Trained instructor from the Alliance, will take 1 hour and a Save A Life Narcan Kit will be mailed directly to you (US only) once essential forms have been completed.

For Tuesday Trainings from 7pm-8pm EST, click here.
(select date by clicking on drop down menu)

For Thursday Trainings from Noon-1pm EST, click here.
(select date by clicking on drop down menu)

NEW! Drive Thru Friday Trainings listed on calendar.

The training includes information on:

  • Signs & symptoms of an opioid overdose
  • Quick actions to take to help save a life and reverse a potential opioid overdose
  • How to easily and properly use Narcan nasal spray
  • Resource sharing
  • If you use your Narcan, how can you obtain a refill

Utilizing Zoom for training, you will need a desktop or laptop computer or a smartphone equipped with a camera,  microphone and speakers. https://zoom.us/

Registration is required and is open up to 1 hour prior to training.

Need a refill? Click here.

Federal, State and/or County funding has been provided through the Oakland Community Health Network/Substance Use Disorder services to support project costs. Alliance staff adheres to the Certified Prevention Specialist Code of Ethics including confidentiality. Recipients of substance abuse services have rights protected by state and federal law and promulgated rules.  Contact Substance Abuse Quality Assurance & Licensing Sect., Recipient Rights Coordinator, PO Box 30664, Lansing, MI  48909. 
EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

by | Mar 18, 2021 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2021
Steve Noble, Electronics Recycling Coordinator, [email protected], 517‑449-6153
Jill Greenberg, EGLE Spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965

EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces availability of grants that support increased access to proper electronics recycling in the rural areas of the state.

Grants can be used to support improvements to current collection facilities; support electronics recycling events leading up to the establishment of new permanent collection locations; support the collection, handling and proper recycling of consumer electronics; and provide collection and recycling infrastructure support to registered electronics recyclers.

Eligible entities include cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, tribal governments, conservation districts, municipal solid waste or resource recovery authorities, non-profit organizations, health departments, colleges or universities, and regional planning agencies. For-profit Michigan-based registered electronics recyclers are eligible for infrastructure funds. The maximum requested amount is $15,000 per collection location and event.

Applications, as well as more information about the EGLE recycling grants program, are available by clicking on the Grants tab at Michigan.gov/MiRecycles. EGLE will accept Electronic Recycling Grant Applications with all supporting documentation that are received on or before May 14, 2021.
MDHHS recognizing March 21–27 as National Poison Prevention Week

MDHHS recognizing March 21–27 as National Poison Prevention Week

by | Mar 18, 2021 | Regional News

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Michigan residents encouraged to take steps to prevent poisonings in their homes during National Poison Prevention Week 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Poison Center at Wayne State University School of Medicine responded to nearly 61,000 calls in 2020 related to potential poisonings; more than 32,000 involved children ages 0 to 19. To raise awareness of the dangers of potentially poisonous medicines and chemicals, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is joining the Michigan Poison Center in recognizing March 21–27 as National Poison Prevention Week.

More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the nation’s poison centers. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90% of poisonings happen at home. Over 83% of exposures involve swallowing a substance (49% of those exposures involve medications and pharmaceuticals).

“By educating Michiganders about preventative steps they can take in the home and in their lives, I believe we can make serious progress in keeping our loved ones safe,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “It is vital that people learn about basic information on poison prevention in the home, such as keeping chemicals out of the reach of children and carefully reading the labels and dosages on all products. Everyone should also know the national poison center number – it is an important resource for managing accidental exposures.”

Last year in Michigan, 58 percent of adult Poison Control Center calls were managed at home without requiring medical intervention and 80 percent of pediatric calls were kept out of the emergency department.

MDHHS recommends the following measures to reduce the risk of poisonings:

  • Keep all chemicals, including medications, out of the reach of children and keep them in their original containers.
  • Carefully read the labels and dosages on all products before using.
  • Keep products in their original containers.
  • Do not mix chemicals.
  • Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
  • Program the National Poison Control number in your phone: 800-222-1222.

To learn more about ways to keep people of all ages safe and help prevent poisonings, visit the Poison Help Web site at Poison Help. To view materials in Spanish, visit Poison Help Espanol.

In the event of a poison emergency, contact the Michigan Poison Center at 800-222-1222 and a poison expert will tell you exactly what to do. If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.