Cincinnati Edition speaks with Kimberly Hall, the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, about how individuals should apply for unemployment benefits during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Unemployed Ohioans can file an application online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at unemployment.ohio.gov. Those without internet access or who need assistance may file by phone at (877) OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) or TTY at (888) 642-8203. Technical questions can be answered at uctech@jfs.ohio.gov.
Those seeking employment can go to coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch and click on "Find Jobs Near Me" to find postings for essential jobs that employers need filled now.
Businesses can visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/businesshelp to learn about local, state and federal resources that may be available to them.
Ohioans can visit benefits.ohio.gov to see if they may be eligible for other forms of assistance.
Answers to frequently asked questions provided by ODJFS include:
- What is the weekly benefit amount? Typically half the claimant's previous wages up to a set maximum; those with dependents receive more.
- When do benefits start? For most people, in about a week if they are eligible, although the high claims volume has slowed processing times.
- What is the impact on tipped workers? That depends how the employer reported the employee's wages. If the employer reported tips as part of the employees wage, it would be reflected on their tax reporting, and therefore the unemployment benefit would be based on wages with tips. If the employer did not include tips in the wage, the employee will need to file an affidavit with their tipped wages for ODJFS to review.
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