NOVEMBER 2, 2006 - The Unemployment Insurance Agency's (UIA) toll-free telephone system for taking new unemployment benefit applications will be available for three days next week, but benefit applications can be filed online at just about any time.

"Our toll-free phone line - 1-866-500-0017 - will be open on Monday, November 6; Wednesday, November 8; and Thursday, November 9." UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson said.  "However, the telephone claims operation will be closed on Election Day, November 7, and Veterans' Day, November 10."

Next week, the agency will temporarily suspend its normal call-in schedule, based on a person's Social Security number, and allow unemployed workers to file their unemployment claims by calling the telephone claims line at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the three working days.

"Callers may find it easier to get through and file their claims if they call in after 1:00 p.m., when call volumes start to drop off from their heavy morning levels," Estlund Olson advised.

While hours for the agency's telephone-filed claims system will be adjusted next week, UIA's Internet system for taking claims will continue its normal hours of operation, which are from 7:00 a.m. Monday through 7:00 p.m. Saturday (Eastern Time).  Online claims can be filed at the agency's website (www.michigan.gov/uia).

"For those who have already filed for unemployment benefits, our MARVIN system will also continue its normal hours throughout the week," Estlund Olson said.  "MARVIN will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but callers must follow a call-in schedule based on their Social Security numbers.  The schedule is included in the handbooks they received when they filed their claims."