Membership
Membership has its perks. Take advantage of valuable member benefits and services. But at what cost? How about $0 in fees.
Already a member? Thank you for your continued trust in 501 Alliance providing you with a comprehensive package of unemployment-related services – so you can save money, time, and headaches, and focus your resources on what matters most: your charitable mission.
Looking to join? Start taking advantage of all the benefits. It’s easy, there’s mitigated risk and no fees, but plenty of help for you and your nonprofit organization. Reduce your stress now.
Membership Benefits
Membership has its advantages. But at what cost? How about $0 in fees. Plus low rates, Michigan expertise, risk mitigation, less worry and more resources, and responsiveness to your needs. Explore your membership benefits.
Low Rates
Our own specialized rating system allows us to provide nonprofit organizations with lower unemployment tax rates versus the state of Michigan. All qualifying new members receive a 25% discount off their current rate with the state. Our average rate in 2023 is .70%.
On a year-to-year basis, since we have been keeping record, the state’s average tax rate has been from 15% to 147% higher than our member’s average tax rate.
Michigan Expertise
We pride ourselves on having Michigan expertise. Unlike other groups that attempt to keep up with unemployment in every state, we are a nonprofit exclusively serving nonprofits in Michigan. It’s the only state we serve and where we are based.
We were founded in 1972 and have grown to be the leading group unemployment compensation provider in Michigan.
Membership not only benefits your organization but also strengthens the alliance of 350+ Michigan nonprofits.
No Fees or Costs
Probably sounds too good, right? But it’s true.
There are no membership fees or additional costs to join. Every dollar of your quarterly payment goes into your own account to pay current or future claims for unemployment benefits. In addition, our members are not required to provide a surety bond or a letter of credit to the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA).
501 Alliance is funded by the pooled earnings from the group. We are governed by a board of directors that must have a majority of members. This ensures we act in the best interest of our members.
24/7 Reporting
Our reporting system provides your organization with 24/7 access to the number of claims filed, protested, benefits collected and win percentages. You’ll never again have to guess the status of a claim or the outcome.
Simplified Unemployment Process
The unemployment process can be complicated and difficult. We’ve removed that burden. We handle, at no cost, all of your claims processing which includes: finding errors, protesting incorrect claims, finding fraudulent claims, representing you at hearings, guiding you through what separation info you need to provide for a claim, etc. We also handle all of your payments and obtain credits from the state on your behalf.
Manage Risk
We’ve got you covered. We’re here to help you manage your unemployment risks.
501 Alliance handles, at no cost, all of your claims processing which includes: finding errors, protesting incorrect claims, finding fraudulent claims, representing you at hearings, guiding you through what separation info you need to provide for a claim, etc. We also handle all of your payments and obtain credits from the state on your behalf.
Should your organization have more charges in one year than you have paid into your account, you are not mandated to pay the difference at year-end. Rather, your next year rate would increase to get into positive standing over time.
Regain Resources
Time is money. 501 Alliance manages unemployment services for Michigan nonprofits. That enables members to focus their resources and efforts on what matters most – their charitable missions.
We process and file all unemployment related paperwork on behalf of our members, along with scheduling and securing representation for unemployment hearings.
Let us take the worry away from you and your organization through our cost-effective unemployment solution that will save you time and money.
Responsive Support
Don’t expect bureaucracy with 501 Alliance. Just ask our members. We’re responsive, supportive, personable and knowledgeable. Simply contact us by phone or email and experience the difference.
Plus, our reporting system provides members with 24/7 access to the number of claims filed, protested, benefits collected and win percentages. Never again guess on the status of a claim or the outcome.
Check Out the Savings / Payment Calculators
Reimbursing employers – how much money would your organization pay?
See for yourself with our convenient calculators.
Member Services
Be sure to also access and download our procedures manual for a handy reference (please check back periodically for the most up-to-date information).
Claims Processing
We process all monetary determinations, re-determinations and requests for information from the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) based on the separation information you provide to us. We will also appeal any decisions you would like to protest to an unemployment hearing or to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission.
Unemployment Hearing Advocates
Our goal is to provide a hearing advocate for every unemployment hearing that you need to attend. However, there may be the rare occasion where an advocate is not available. Hearings are typically conducted via phone.
Verification of Benefits
We verify any charges to your account for unemployment benefits to ensure the amount, duration and the employer(s) involved are properly charged. We will also protest any invalid or improper charges.
Activity Reports
We provide a self-service reporting system that allows your agency to run your own activity reports based on claims for unemployment benefits. These reports include the following information:
- Total number of claims filed broken out by separation reason.
- Total number of claims protested, along with win percentages.
- Names of individuals who have filed claims for unemployment benefits.
- Total amount of unemployment benefits collected by each individual.
Trainings
We offer, at no cost to members, live webcasts and on-demand trainings in the form of videos, interactive user guides, and recorded webinars.
Ensure you're following proper compliance procedures, avoiding fines/penalties, and gaining significant savings by reducing unemployment costs.
Training is provided through our claims management company, Equifax Workforce Solutions.
Rate Projections
We provide contribution rate projections upon request (via the member portal) to help members more accurately budget for their unemployment expenses.
Contribution rate projections are based on the current rate formulas in place and your organization’s most recent benefit charges and contribution payments. For those quarters where information is not available, estimates are used based upon prior quarters.
Please note that your organization’s actual contribution rate could be higher or lower than the projection based on the finalized rate formulas for the next calendar year and your actual unemployment benefit charges and contribution payments.
Members can request rate projections via the member portal. Rate projections take 8-10 business days to process.
Sample Forms
- Disciplinary Warning Form
- Exit Interview Form
- Leave of Absence Form
Quarterly Newsletters
Our quarterly newsletter is provided to all members and is available on our website. Articles include updates on changes to the state's unemployment regulations and procedures, as well as information about the group in general.
Member Referral Program
Membership can also be rewarding – The Member Referral Program provides charitable donations to your agency for referring prospective members, without any stipulations on how you can use the money. You could reward an employee for a job well done or treat the office to lunch; the choice is yours.
501 Alliance gives your agency a $50 charitable donation for every prospective member you refer who completes and submits an application for membership. An additional $150 charitable donation is given to your agency for every prospective member who also qualifies and is approved for membership. That’s up to $200 your agency can receive for each prospective member referred to 501 Alliance. There's no limit to the number of prospective members you can refer.
Have prospective members contact us at 800-968-9675 and request a membership application or tell them to visit our website to download a membership application. The prospective member simply needs to include the name, contact, and phone number of your agency on the membership application and we’ll do the rest.