How employers feel about unemployment work-search rule being put back in place Tags: Officials hope the change will help fill thousands of open positions that are available across Metro Detroit. All seven of the state’s Republican U.S. House members wrote a letter to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday urging a halt to the extra payment, which is on top of maximum state benefits of $362 per week. They said the benefits incentivize people who are unemployed to not return to work. The work-search requirement was waived starting in March 2020. Claimants will have to conduct at least one work-search activity for each week they certify for benefits.