Publication date: February 4, 2026
🕒 7 minute read
Michigan Employers: Time to Get Ready for the Move to MiUI
Michigan employers can resume preparations for a major system change that impacts how unemployment tax and benefit activities are managed. If you missed our last blog, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is officially transitioning away from the long-standing Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) system and launching a new, more modern platform known as MiUI. In December 2025, the MiUI launch was postponed, but now it’s back on! Our team at Cooper People Group has got you covered for staying current on the most recent updates.
Transition timeline at a glance:
Both employers and third-party administrators (TPAs) have been eagerly awaiting a new timeline to prepare for the transition.
- February 18–22, 2026: MiWAM will be completely unavailable due to a scheduled system transition.
- February 23, 2026: MiUI goes live for tax functions; MiWAM reopens for benefits functions only.
- Summer 2026: MiUI expands to include benefits functions for employers, TPAs, and claimants.
Employers are strongly encouraged to plan unemployment-related work around these dates.
Key Updates Employers Need to Know
MiWAM Actions Will Be Phased Out
As UIA prepares for MiUI, certain services in MiWAM will be discontinued ahead of go live. UIA has published a transition schedule outlining:
- Which MiWAM actions will stop
- When changes will take effect
- Where some tasks may need to be completed outside of MiWAM during the transition period
Review the transition schedule now, so you’re not caught off guard by unavailable functions.
MiUI Employer Seminars Are Back
In case you missed the last round of seminars, training sessions are back! UIA has resumed online MiUI seminars to help employers prepare for the new system. Weekly sessions for employers are now available.
Each seminar includes:
- An overview of key system changes
- Live demonstrations of MiUI
- Practical guidance for transition readiness
- Opportunities to ask questions
These sessions are one of the most effective ways to reduce confusion and prepare internal teams ahead of the February transition.
Why it’s Important to Begin Preparing for the MiUI Transition Now
The MiUI transition is less about learning a new system overnight and more about planning around key dates and understanding when access will change. Employers who prepare early, especially around the MiWAM phase-out and downtime, will avoid unnecessary disruption to payroll, tax filings, and benefit responses. If you want help translating this timeline into an internal checklist, check out this Countdown to MiUI – Must-Do Items.
The earlier you prep your people, accounts, and data, the smoother the transition will be. Start with reviewing your organization’s access, administrator selection, TPA authorization, and wage file testing if you don’t use a TPA or payroll provider.
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