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UIA virtual appointments offer more accessibility for Michiganders

LANSING — The Unemployment Insurance Agency has added a virtual appointment option for customers needing assistance with their claims, including a dedicated link for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing utilizing voice to text closed captioning. In addition to phone and in-person appointments, customers can now also schedule virtual appointments. Virtual appointments provide the personal contact with a customer service agent with the convenience of a remote connection. The 20-minute virtual appointments can be scheduled online up to one week in advance at Michigan.gov/uia. ...

DIFS encourages impacted borrowers to take advantage of assistance programs before upcoming deadlines

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding Michigan consumers with federally backed mortgages who are worried about falling behind on payments that assistance is available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act but they must act before the Sept. 30 deadline. “DIFS is encouraging anyone struggling financially as a result of COVID-19 to contact their mortgage lender and discuss the options available to them,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “No one should have to worry about losing their home due to the ...

Unemployment Insurance claimants issued new debit cards

LANSING — The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is reminding claimants who receive their benefit payment on a debit card that a new debit card for accessing their funds was issued by U.S. Bank. Claimants began receiving their new debit cards in early August. The State of Michigan changed its debit card provider for unemployment benefits from Bank of America to U.S. Bank earlier this year. As of Aug. 25, new unemployment funds will post to the new U.S. Bank debit card. Claimants may continue to use their current Bank of America debit card until Nov. 30. Bank of America extended the ...

MI AG, DIFS investigation results in felony charges against medical supplier

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged a Florida medical supplier with several crimes, including insurance fraud, for allegedly operating in Michigan without proper licensing. David Winter, 51, of Boca Raton, owner and operator of GTV Networks (GTV), is accused of illegally dispensing durable medical equipment and billing Michigan auto insurers for equipment that was not actually dispensed. The case is the result of collaboration between the Michigan Department of Attorney General (MI AG) and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Fraud ...

New era for SAGE Building at Sawyer International Airport

GWINN — The former K.I. Sawyer Air Base Command Center, also known as the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Building originally constructed by the USAF and deactivated in 1963, has hope for a new life. The property, which has not operated at its capacity as a data center since the base closed in September 1995, is under contract with an undisclosed purchaser, according to Vikki Kulju, executive director of Telkite Enterprises. The project, known as Project Odyssey, could be ready for occupancy by year end 2022 if the purchaser decides to move forward at the end of their due ...

Federal unemployment benefits programs end Sept. 4

LANSING — Michigan workers who have been receiving federal jobless benefits through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will see those programs expire Sept. 4. Benefit recipients are reminded that the State of Michigan has several programs and services to assist in their search for a job or other help. Benefits approved by Congress through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation ...