North Kent News

Sen. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) announced on MiSenateGOP that he is committed to helping his constituents filing unemployment claims due to the impact of COVID-19. 

Beyond just sheer number of those who contracted the virus, there have been over 5,800 deaths in the state, according to Michigan.gov, and many more individuals who have suffered economic losses. 

“The state shutdown in response to the virus has led to more than a million residents losing their jobs and thousands of businesses closing,” Outman said on MiSenateGOP.

Outman said that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s approach to the virus and its economic impacts has been lacking and that many residents were without the support that they needed to file for unemployment claims.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency did not offer the help that was required, and the ever-increasing number of those filing for unemployment benefits made the situation more challenging. 

“To make matters worse, a staggering 340,000 filers approved for unemployment benefits in the state are being investigated for fraud as part of an international criminal ring exploiting unemployment programs across the nation,” Outman said, according to MiSenateGOP. “This has added further delays to the claims process.”

Outman said that in order to help his constituents, he has added an online tool to his website, which allows individuals to request assistance in working with the Unemployment Insurance Agency. 

“If you need help with an unemployment claim, please visit my website and fill out the 'Unemployment Assistance' form. It can be found on my website’s homepage or at www.SenatorRickOutman.com/unemployment-assistance/. Input your information, and my staff or I will contact you,” Outman wrote on MiSenateGOP.

Individuals who have been through hard times due to coronavirus are also encouraged to share their experience on MI COVID Story. 

“Although Gov. Whitmer doesn’t seem to be listening to the people of Michigan, we are here to be your voice at the state Capitol,” Outman told MiSenateGOP. “The people deserve to be heard.”