500,000 Served By Non-profits Receiving Grants

500,000 Served By Non-profits Receiving Grants

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Uncategorized

MEDIA ADVISORY Coulter: 500,000 Served By Non-profits Receiving Grants

Coulter: 500,000 served by non-profits receiving grants​

Who

David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Helaine Zack, Oakland County Commissioner Nancy Quarles, Oakland County Commissioner Dr. Darienne Hudson, United Way for Southeastern Michigan President and CEO Kirk Mayes, Forgotten Harvest CEO Representatives from Chaldean Community Foundation, Community Housing Network, Easter Seals of Mich., Friends of the Pontiac Parks, and Presbyterian Village.
What

​Oakland County Executive David Coulter is holding a news conference to announce the non-profit organizations who will receive grants of nearly $10 million from the county’s allocation of CARES Act funds. Non-profits are important part of the community fabric and these grants are intended to help them continue to provide services to residents of Oakland County and implement COVID-19 related safety protocols. Together the grantees serve half a million residents. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan administered the competitive application process, evaluated all applications, made recommendations to the county and will now administer the distribution of the funds.

Where

Forgotten Harvest Warehouse, 21800 Greenfield Rd., Oak Park, Mich. and at Oakland County Executive Office Facebook Page, @OakGov.EO
When

Jun 25, 2020, 1:30 PM
Additional Info

Safety measures: • All persons will be screened prior to entering the news conference, including recording temperature. • A mask will be required to enter the building. One will be made available for those who don’t have one. Hand sanitizer will be available at the door. • News media who attend will be socially distanced six feet apart. • Those who do not wish to attend will be able to watch the news conference on the Executive Office Facebook page (@OakGov.EO) and ask questions by conference call. How to participate by Facebook Live/Conference call: • Participating reporters please RSVP to Jaime Fenner at [email protected] by noon to indicate your participation on the conference line so the County Executive will call on you.
Consumer Alert on Unemployment Misinformation on Social Media

Consumer Alert on Unemployment Misinformation on Social Media

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Uncategorized

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Ryan Jarvi
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Attorney General Nessel Issues Consumer Alert on Unemployment Misinformation on Social Media

LANSING – Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert today to warn Michiganders about misinformation as many turn to social media for help or answers in their continued struggle with applying for and obtaining unemployment benefits.

Nessel encouraged Michiganders to be aware that offers via social media to assist claimants with the benefit process are likely scams, and that the answers provided to unemployment-related questions may contain misinformation that encourages claimants to commit fraud.

“Our state has seen an unprecedented uptick in unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19. Delays in processing have caused a great deal of frustration for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who are simply doing all they can to make ends meet, but I want to urge residents to stay alert when taking to social media for answers or advice,” said Nessel. “There is no guarantee that these answers have been vetted or that the individuals promising to help can actually do so. Do not under any circumstance pay a fee or offer up your personal information to someone on social media.”

Nessel is urging residents currently facing challenges with unemployment benefits to be mindful of the following:

Do not fall for scams 

If a post is offering to help you with any portion of the benefit process for a fee, do not fall for it. There is no guarantee that the person behind the post actually intends to assist you or can help you, and you may never receive the services you pay for. In addition, if a user offers to assist you and requests your personal information, do not fall for it. This is likely an attempt to steal your personal information to commit identity theft and obtain the benefits that you are rightfully entitled to.

Inaccurate answers

The information provided on social media has not been vetted and may not be accurate. While the answers may seem to provide quick fixes, you may ultimately be led down the wrong path. This could result in further delays in your receipt of benefits, the denial of benefits and in the case of fraud, administrative or criminal penalties.

To ensure you have accurate information and follow the proper channels, visit the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s (UIA) website. Claimants may also call the UIA Customer Service line at 1-866-500-0017 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and follow the prompts.

For answers to frequently asked questions, visit the UIA online.
Whitmer Signs Bills Increasing Health Care Access

Whitmer Signs Bills Increasing Health Care Access

by | Jun 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills Increasing Health Care Access Into Law

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer signed House Bills 5412-5416, which increase access to health care for Michiganders through telemedicine and remote patient monitoring services. The governor also signed Senate Bill 940 into law.

“I was pleased to sign bills today that will increase access to healthcare in Michigan by ensuring that telemedicine and remote patient monitoring services will be covered by insurers and by Medicaid,” said Governor Whitmer in her signing letter to the Legislature. “These bills codify significant pieces of Executive Order 2020-86, which broadly expanded access to telemedicine as part of Michigan’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the virtues of telemedicine are not unique to this moment, so Michiganders will benefit from reduced costs, increased accessibility, and lower transmission rates of infectious diseases at the doctor’s office for years to come.”

House Bills 5412, 5413, 5414, 5415, and 5416 make up a bill package designed to facilitate remote provision of healthcare services. The bills require health insurance companies and group/non-group healthcare services to cover telemedicine visits without requiring in-person visits. The bill package was sponsored by Representative Hank Vaupel, R-Howell (HB 5412), Representative Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Twp. (HB 5413), Representative Phil Green, R-Huron Twp. (HB 5414), Representative Frank Liberati, D-Allen Park (HB 5415), and Representative Mary Whiteford, R-Allegan (HB 5416).

Senate Bill 940 delays the principal residence exemption application deadline under certain circumstances related to the COVID state of emergency. The bill was sponsored by Senator Roger Victory, R-Grand Haven.

To view the governor’s signing letter to the legislature, click the link below:
Oakland County Offers Free “Virtual Interview” Workshops

Oakland County Offers Free “Virtual Interview” Workshops

by | Jun 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

Oakland County Offers Free “Virtual Interview” Workshops For Job Seekers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Waterford, Michigan – Oakland County Michigan Works! is offering an interactive virtual workshop every Tuesday to help prepare job seekers for remote, online interviews which are the norm for many employers because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oakland County Michigan Works! has created the workshop to provide job seekers with tips and strategies to help prepare them for an interview process that may be unfamiliar to them. A recent national survey of human resource leaders by Gartner, Inc. found 86 percent of organizations are using virtual technology to interview candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The free workshops are held Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. through August 25. Registration is available at www.OaklandCountyMIWorks.com.

“Interviewing for a job can stressful enough on its own and now applicants have to contend with technology while figuring out the best way to present themselves virtually,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We want to make sure we’re doing all we can to prepare residents for this new reality.”

Oakland County Michigan Works! Director Jennifer Llewellyn said the format and questions being asked in either type of interview may be similar. She advises candidates to:

  • Prepare responses to expected questions
  • Test your computer in advance to make sure the built-in camera and microphone work and the internet connection is strong
  • Test the angle of the camera to ensure your face and body are positioned properly
  • Check the lighting in the area
  • Decluttering the area where the virtual interview is going to take place

“We want to put job seekers in the best position possible to land their next job,” Llewellyn said. “That means making a great impression, whether in-person or on a virtual basis. We expect this workshop on virtual interviews to be very popular over the next couple of months.”

Since its launch in May, the Virtual Workshop Program has attracted nearly 500 participants from around southeast Michigan. Other topics include resume writing, LinkedIn best practices, gig jobs – non-traditional employment opportunities, mid-life career transitions, and unemployment and budgeting. Oakland County Michigan Works! has expanded the schedule of workshops to run through August.

The complete schedule can be found at the website referenced above.

Oakland County Michigan Works! operates service centers in Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy, and Waterford. Service center staff also are available by virtual appointment to work one-on-one with job seekers to build their resumes, prepare for job interviews and help address other needs. To schedule a virtual meeting, contact the nearest Oakland County Michigan Works! service center at 1-248-858-5520.

Combined, the service centers assist more than 105,000 job seekers annually with career coaching, interviewing workshops, job search workshops, placement assistance, training courses and job trend information. Service centers also assist more than 3,000 employers seeking assistance with talent recruitment, apprenticeship programs, job fairs, candidate pre-screening, hiring and training support, layoff support and labor market data.

UIA to eliminate claims backlog

UIA to eliminate claims backlog

by | Jun 24, 2020 | Uncategorized

UIA to eliminate claims backlog; All unpaid claims filed before May 1st will have a determination by July 4th

Contact: Jason Moon 517-282-0041

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has announced a goal to clear its backlog and make a determination on all eligible unpaid claims filed before May 1st. For the 11,824 workers who applied prior to May 1st and are still awaiting a decision on eligibility, the agency will pay out benefits, determine that the claimant is ineligible and communicate why, or deem the claimant unreachable after multiple attempts to make contact. Unpaid claims filed before May 1st represent only 0.5% of all claims.

 

“Our goal is to have every unemployment claim filed before May 1st resolved by the end of next week,” said UIA Director Steve Gray. “While most of our eligible workers have been paid, the unprecedented number of claims during this crisis means that there are still tens of thousands of real Michiganders needing one-on-one review to pay benefits. We know COVID-19 continues to cause fear and frustration for these families and we are working around the clock and enhancing our resources to quickly eliminate the remaining backlog and get every worker the emergency financial assistance they’re entitled to.”

 

The UIA also provided a detailed update on unemployment claims related to COVID-19 in Michigan. Since March 15, 2.2 million eligible claimants have applied for state and federal benefits, with over $14.3 billion in benefits paid to over 2 million workers. 94.5% of eligible claimants have received or are approved for benefits. Of the remaining unpaid claimants, most are flagged for potential impostor fraud. Currently, 90,000 unpaid claims are flagged as potentially fraudulent while 33,000 unpaid claims are held pending adjudication for other reasons.

 

The UIA has made adjustments to its claims processing system to more efficiently adjudicate claims, but in many instances, the agency still needs additional information from the claimant before a determination can be made. For eligible unpaid claimants, the agency will make attempts to contact them if needed. There remains a path for individuals to protest any determination made by the agency on their claim.

 

The agency will soon announce a target date to make a determination on claims filed after May 1st.

 

 

 

 

UIA Data
March 15 – June 23, 2020
               $14.3B Benefits paid       
   
2,390,433 Total unique* claimants (State and Federal)
                             114,771 Claimants determined currently ineligible for benefits
21,913 Claimants who have not certified
2,253,749 Total unique potentially eligible claims with certification
   
2,129,785 Claimants paid at least once
94.5% Percent paid at least once
   
90,474 Claimants unpaid due to ID verification
33,485 Claimants unpaid due to other non-monetary issues
5.5% Percent not paid

 

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.