The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s (UIA) Grand Rapids Local Office reopened today after extensive renovations to better serve customers who want to meet with a UIA agent about their claim.

UIA staff are once again helping claimants at the Local Office at 3391 Plainfield NE, Suite A, after two months of construction to create a welcoming public area and make necessary security upgrades. During the renovation period, staff serviced claimants at a temporary office co-located with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The renovations are part of the UIA’s focus on improving the customer experience and creating a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service.

“I want to thank our colleagues at DHHS for warmly welcoming our staff to their building as we completed our construction project,” said Julia Dale, director of UIA. “Our Local Office renovation initiative aims to significantly improve the customer experience for claimants with a scheduled appointment to meet with an agent to discuss their questions.”

Anyone who needs in-person help with their claim can go to the Schedule an Appointment page at Michigan.gov/UIA to make an appointment up to 14 days in advance at any of the UIA's 12 Local Offices across Michigan.

Four other Local Offices across the state are also being renovated. Work has been completed at the Sterling Heights and Saginaw offices, which have reopened. The Lansing Local Office has temporarily closed (with staff moving to the Capital Area Michigan Works! office, 2110 South Cedar Street, Lansing), and the Detroit Local Office is expected to close temporarily later this year.

The temporary closures do not affect phone or virtual appointments, which can be scheduled online. Claimants can also use the Chat With An Agent feature through the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), the Ask Ava chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA, or call Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.