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Ezra Beard

MI UIA: Tips for disputing claim info when can't reach agent? Lines always busy

Hey everyone, I'm having some issues with my unemployment claim. I need to dispute some information on my claim but I can't seem to get through to an agent. I've been trying to call for days but the lines are always busy. Has anyone had any luck getting through to speak with someone? Any tips or tricks would be really appreciated. I'm starting to get worried about my benefits being delayed because of this.

I found a way to solve unemployment claim dispute issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idelg3NRkZc

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I feel your pain. The system is so broken, its ridiculous. I spent hours everyday for a week trying to get through. My advice? Keep calling and pray for a miracle.

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Miracles do happen! I got through after a week of trying. Persistence is really the key here.

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A broken they'll never fix, as they don't have to. Just fraud your account with garnished overpayment, laughing all the way through lawsuits claiming not-guilty.

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Pro tip: if you have a friend or family member who speaks another language, try calling the non-English line. Sometimes those have shorter wait times.

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Isn't that kinda unethical tho?

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desperate times call for desperate measures my friend 🤷‍♂️

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While it might seem like a clever hack, it's important to respect the resources meant for non-English speakers.

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Anyone else notice how the unemployment website always seems to crash right when you need it most? It's like they're trolling us at this point 🤡

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Right?! It's like they know. I wonder if they have any plans to upgrade their systems.

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The Claimyr tool seems like a useful resource for those willing to spend the money, but it's important to weigh out the costs and benefits. While it has proven effective for some, others might find the cost prohibitive. If you can afford it and a quick connection is a priority, it might be worth a try. However, for those who can't, sticking to traditional methods and being persistent is key. Balancing patience with assertiveness, you can try multiple times a day, or even see if faxing or emailing your local unemployment office yields results. Also, reaching out to local representatives can sometimes expedite processes. Above all, keeping detailed records of all your interactions and remaining calm and polite during communications is crucial. Hang in there and good luck!

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Has anyone tried contacting their local representative? I've heard sometimes they can help push things along.

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I tried that. Got a generic response saying they'd "look into it". Still waiting...

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Actually, this worked for me! Took about a week, but my rep's office was able to get someone from unemployment to call me back.

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This can be a hit or miss, but reaching out to your representative can sometimes expedite the process.

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Was Oumbudsman in my area. But hasn't been effective since the Covid. Too overwhelming I guess.

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I heard they're hiring more people to handle calls. Maybe it'll get better soon? *crosses fingers*

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Lol good one. I'll believe it when I see it.

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They've been saying that for months. Don't hold your breath.

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If true, it's a good move but it takes time for new hires to be trained and integrated. Fingers crossed it helps.

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ll never happen.'They re 'currently under' restructure without a (director as) read and it being January, who knows. Just crappy outright. They steal benefits'they re supposed to payout, incl. the'Gov s added bonus. Then slam the window shut with a big effU.

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y'all ever think about how much money we could make if we charged the unemployment office $20 every time THEY failed to answer OUR calls? 🤔💰

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Haha, if only! We'd all be rolling in cash by now.

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Guys, I know it's frustrating, but remember the people answering the phones are just doing their job. They're probably overwhelmed too. Let's try to be kind when we do get through.

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Found the unemployment office employee 👀

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Lol, nope. Just someone who's worked in customer service before. It sucks on both sides, trust me.

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It's true, the reps are handling tons of calls daily. Patience and kindness can go a long way.

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im so fed up with this bs. we pay taxes for this "service" and cant even use it when we need it. time to burn the whole system down and start over 🔥🔥🔥

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I feel your frustration. Hopefully, things will improve soon. In the meantime, keep pushing.

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Sending positive vibes to everyone dealing with this mess. We're all in this together. Don't give up hope! 🙏✨

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Thanks for the positivity! We really need it in times like these.

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Here's what I've learned from my experience dealing with the unemployment office: 1. Persistence is key. Don't give up after a few tries. 2. Try calling at different times of the day. Sometimes early morning or late afternoon can be less busy. 3. If you get through to the automated system, don't hang up even if it says there's a long wait. Sometimes the estimated wait time is wrong. 4. Have all your information ready before you call. Claim number, social security number, dates of employment, etc. 5. Be polite to the agent when you finally get through. They're dealing with a lot of frustrated people all day. 6. If one agent can't help, politely ask to speak to a supervisor or someone who can handle your specific issue. 7. Keep a log of your calls - dates, times, who you spoke to, what was said. This can be helpful if you need to escalate your case. Remember, the system is overwhelmed right now. It's frustrating, but try to stay calm and persistent. Good luck!

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Wow, thanks for the detailed advice! I'll definitely try some of these tips.

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This is gold 💯 Saving this for future reference!

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Keeping a log of calls is such a great idea. It really helps in case you need to refer back or escalate issues.

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Pro tip: if you get through to someone but they can't help, ask them to transfer you instead of hanging up and starting over. Sometimes you can bypass the hold time that way.

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Great advice! This has worked for me a few times.

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Guys, I found a method that actually works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/YmVM-26U2rM

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Sounds too good to be true. Are you sure its legit?

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Yep, 100% legit. I was skeptical at first too, but I was desperate. It worked like a charm.

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$20 just to talk to someone? That's highway robbery!

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I get it, but think about how much time and frustration it saves. For me, it was worth every penny.

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I used Claimyr too, and while it worked for me, I understand that $20 can be a lot for some people. It's a trade-off between money and your time/stress levels.

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guys i finaly got through after 3 weeks of trying!!!! heres what i did: 1. called exactly at 8:01 am 2. pressed 6, then 5, then 2, then 4 in the menu 3. sacrificed a goat to the unemployment gods 4. crossed my fingers and toes 5. got put on hold for 2 hours but FINALLY talked to someone hope this helps lol

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Instructions unclear, goat ate my unemployment papers 🐐📄

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Congrats on getting through! I might skip the goat sacrifice tho 😅

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Lol, I'm not sure about the goat, but having a calling strategy seems to work for some people!

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3. sacrificed a goat to the unemployment gods Amazed you didn't add 'named my cat after the Mr.' Thanks for the chuckle! 😂

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Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard thats the best time to get through.

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Yeah, I've tried that. No luck so far. It's like playing the lottery at this point.

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I tried that too. Got through once, then the call dropped after 2 hours on hold. I was ready to throw my phone out the window 😤

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That happened to me as well. Timing really doesn't seem to matter much unfortunately.

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have u tried faxing ur dispute? sometimes that works better than calling

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Faxing? What year is it, 1995? 🤣 But seriously, I didn't even know that was an option. I'll look into it, thanks!

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lol fax machine go brrrrr 📠

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In some places, faxing is still a valid option because it's more direct and goes to a specific department quickly.

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I'm in the same boat, been trying to reach them for weeks. It's like trying to catch a unicorn or something. The whole system is a joke tbh

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I totally understand. It feels so hopeless, but keep trying! We'll all get through this eventually.

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anyone else feel like theyre stuck in a kafka novel trying to deal with this system? asking for a friend 📚🐛

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Absolutely! It feels like a never-ending surreal nightmare sometimes.

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Plot twist: there are no actual agents. It's just a room full of parrots trained to say "Please hold" on repeat 🦜🦜🦜

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LMAO 🤣 That would explain so much

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Nah, parrots would be more helpful tbh

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Haha, wouldn't that be something? At least parrots wouldn't drop calls!

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Welcome to the club, buddy. I've been trying to reach them for weeks now. It's like they're purposely avoiding us or something. 🙄

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It really does feel like that sometimes. 😩 I wonder if they even realize how stressful this is for us?

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Hey OP, what specific info are you trying to dispute? I had to correct my employment dates and it was a nightmare, but I finally got it sorted.

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It's about my last employer. They reported incorrect dates and wages. Did you have to provide any specific documentation?

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Oof, that's rough. Yeah, I had to send in my last few pay stubs and a letter from my employer. It took forever, but it got fixed eventually. Hang in there!

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Documentation is crucial in these cases. Make sure to have everything organized and ready to present.

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I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been calling for over two weeks with no luck getting through. What I've started doing is calling multiple times throughout the day - sometimes I'll get a different message or get further in the queue before it cuts me off. Also, I've been keeping a detailed log of every attempt with timestamps, which someone told me could be helpful if I need to escalate this later. The stress is real though - I totally get the worry about benefits being delayed. Hang in there, we'll figure this out! 💪

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I'm dealing with a similar situation and found that early morning calls (right at 8 AM when they open) give you the best shot. Also, if you do get through to the automated system, don't hang up even if it says the wait time is over an hour - I've seen people get connected faster than the estimate. Make sure you have all your documentation ready beforehand: claim number, SSN, employer info, pay stubs, etc. If you can't get through by phone, try sending a secure message through your MiWAM account or even consider reaching out to your local state representative's office - they sometimes have direct lines to help constituents with unemployment issues. Stay persistent but don't let the stress consume you. This system is broken but you'll get through eventually!

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This is really solid advice! I especially like the tip about not hanging up even when the wait time seems crazy long. I made that mistake a few times and kicked myself for it later. The secure message option through MiWAM is something I hadn't thought of - definitely going to try that. Thanks for sharing your experience and the encouragement. It's nice to know others are going through the same struggle and finding ways to push through it.

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I feel your pain! I've been in a similar situation and here's what finally worked for me: Try calling right at 8:00 AM sharp when they open - set multiple alarms if you have to. I also discovered that if you get the "all circuits are busy" message, hang up and immediately redial. Sometimes it takes 20-30 attempts but eventually you'll get into the queue. Once you're on hold, DO NOT hang up even if it says 3+ hours - I waited 4 hours once but finally got through. Also, have everything ready: your claim number, SSN, employer details, and specific dates/amounts you're disputing. Write down exactly what you need to say before you call so you don't forget anything important when you finally get someone. The key is persistence - it's incredibly frustrating but you WILL get through eventually. Don't give up! 🙏

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This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I needed to hear! The tip about hanging up and redialing when you get the "all circuits busy" message is something I hadn't tried yet. I've been way too quick to give up after just a few attempts. Setting multiple alarms for 8 AM is brilliant - I'm definitely doing that tomorrow. And you're so right about writing down what I need to say beforehand. I get so flustered when I finally reach someone that I forget half the things I wanted to ask about. Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing what actually worked for you. It gives me hope that persistence really does pay off!

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Just wanted to add another tip that worked for me - try calling on different days of the week too. I noticed Tuesdays and Wednesdays seemed to have slightly better connection rates than Mondays and Fridays. Also, if you have a landline available, use that instead of a cell phone - I swear it connects better to their system. And don't be afraid to ask the agent to repeat information or speak slower if you need to. They deal with stressed callers all day and most of them are understanding. Good luck to everyone still trying to get through!

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I've been dealing with this nightmare for months now and I'm honestly at my breaking point. Here's what I've learned from my battle with the MI UIA system: **What's worked for me:** - Calling exactly at 7:58 AM and hitting redial the moment it hits 8:00 - Using the callback feature when available (sometimes it actually works!) - Having multiple phones calling simultaneously (family members helping) - Writing everything down BEFORE calling - claim details, dispute specifics, questions to ask **For disputes specifically:** - Upload any supporting documents to your MiWAM account ASAP - Send a written dispute through the secure messaging system as backup - If it's employer-related wage/date errors, contact your former employer's HR to get corrected information sent to UIA directly **Reality check:** I've been on hold for up to 6 hours before getting through. Yes, SIX HOURS. But it was worth it to finally resolve my issue. The system is absolutely broken and it's disgusting that we have to jump through these hoops for benefits we're entitled to. But don't give up - your persistence will eventually pay off. We shouldn't have to do this, but here we are. Stay strong! 💪 Anyone else try the callback feature? Mixed results for me but worth mentioning.

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Wow, 6 hours on hold is insane but I'm glad you finally got through! The tip about having family members call simultaneously is genius - I never thought of that. I'm definitely going to try the callback feature too, even if it's hit or miss. It's so frustrating that we have to go to these extremes just to access our own benefits. Thanks for sharing all these detailed strategies and for the encouragement. The part about uploading documents to MiWAM as backup is really smart too. This whole situation is ridiculous but at least we're all helping each other figure it out! 🙏

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I'm in the exact same situation! Been trying for 2 weeks straight with no luck. Reading through all these comments has been both frustrating and helpful - it's crazy that so many of us are dealing with this. I'm definitely going to try some of these strategies tomorrow: calling right at 8 AM with multiple alarms set, using the redial method when I get the busy signal, and having all my documentation ready beforehand. The idea about keeping a detailed log of attempts is smart too. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to go through all this just to dispute incorrect information on our own claims, but I'm not giving up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - it helps to know we're all in this together! 🤞

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You're definitely not alone in this struggle! I've been watching this thread and trying some of these tips myself. One thing I'd add is to maybe try calling on different days if you can - sometimes the volume varies by day of the week. Also, if you do get through, don't be afraid to ask the agent if there's a better time to call back for future issues. Some of them will actually give you insider tips on when the lines are less busy. The fact that we all have to become experts in gaming a broken system just to access our benefits is absolutely infuriating, but I'm glad we can at least help each other out. Keep us posted on how it goes with those strategies! 🤞

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I've been in your exact shoes and it's incredibly frustrating! Here are some additional strategies that have worked for me and others I know: **Phone tactics:** - Try calling the main line AND the employer line - sometimes one has shorter wait times - If you get disconnected, call back immediately - you might get lucky and skip some of the queue - Consider using a auto-redial app if your phone supports it **Alternative approaches:** - Email your local unemployment office directly (many have specific email addresses for disputes) - File a complaint with the Michigan Department of Labor if the delays are affecting your benefits - Check if your area has unemployment assistance programs or legal aid that can help navigate disputes **Documentation is key:** - Screenshot everything in your MiWAM account - Keep copies of all pay stubs, employment letters, and any correspondence - Write a clear timeline of events for your dispute The most important thing is DON'T GIVE UP. I know it feels hopeless, but every person I know who kept trying eventually got through. The system is overwhelmed but it does work eventually. You've got this! 💪 Also, once you do get through, ask the agent about the best times to call for future issues - some are actually helpful about sharing when lines are less busy.

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These are fantastic additional strategies! I hadn't thought about trying different phone lines - that's a really smart approach. The auto-redial app suggestion is brilliant too, especially since manually redialing 30+ times gets exhausting. I'm definitely going to look into emailing the local office directly and see if I can find their specific dispute email address. The documentation tips are spot on - I learned the hard way to screenshot everything when my account glitched and lost some information I had uploaded. Thanks for taking the time to share all these detailed strategies and for the encouragement. It really helps to hear from someone who's been through this and came out the other side! 🙏

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