What Are The Requirements To Qualify For Unemployment Benefits In Ohio
To have Ohio unemployment eligibility, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are either totally or partially unemployed when you file your claim. If you are totally unemployed, it means you have no income or earnings due to you during the week you apply for unemployment. If you work less than your full-time hours during the week you are let go from your job, you would be considered partially unemployed for that week and would be eligible for benefits.
- You earned enough money and worked enough weeks in your base period to qualify for benefits. To qualify, you must have worked at least 20 weeks during your base period. Your employment must be covered employment, meaning that your employer pays Ohio unemployment insurance. Not all work is considered covered employment and may be a reason why you will not qualify for benefits.
- In addition, you must have an average weekly wage of at least $247 during your base period for each week you worked. To find out your average weekly wage, divide your total amount of wages during your base period by the total number of qualifying weeks.
How To Apply For Ohio Unemployment Benefits From Home Amid Coronavirus Crisis
CLEVELAND, Ohio You dont have to leave home to file for unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus outbreak that has Ohio officials urging residents to practice social distancing to contain its spread.
Update 10:50 a.m. Monday: Anyone applying for unemployment benefits by phone is currently directed to a message asking them to apply online or call again later due to an exceptionally high call volume.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Sunday announced an executive order expanding unemployment benefits amid the coronavirus outbreak. The order, which he plans to sign Monday, waives the typical one-week waiting period and the requirement that that people seek work as they receive benefits.
The move came on the same day DeWine announced a temporary closing of Ohios bars and restaurants, with exceptions only for take-out and delivery service. Several businesses have told cleveland.com in recent days that they laid off staff in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The emergency measure also applies to workers whose employers do not offer paid leave, and to eligible individuals who are asked by a medical professional, local health agency or employer to self-isolate or quarantine. They are not available to people who are asymptomatic but choose to self-isolate, according to ODJFS.
Anyone can apply for unemployment benefits online 24/7 or during business hours Monday through Friday, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
How Can I Apply
You have two ways to file an application for Ohio unemployment benefits.
- Online File any time online at unemployment.ohio.gov. Click on the red apply for unemployment now button and follow the instructions.
- Call 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408 to reach an agent for assistance. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, excluding holidays.
Youll need to provide the following information to apply for unemployment benefits in Ohio:
- Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse and any dependents youre claiming
- Your name, address, telephone number and email address
- Names and dates of birth for your spouse and any dependents youre claiming
- Your drivers license or state ID number
- Name, address, telephone number and dates of employment with each employer you worked for during the past six weeks of employment
- The reason you became unemployed
- Alien registration number and expiration date if youre not a U.S. citizen or national
- Your regular occupation and job skills
If you were employed out of state, have worked for the federal government or are separated from military service, youll need to provide additional information.
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If Your Application For Unemployment Benefits Is Denied
If you are denied unemployment benefits, you can appeal the decision. You only have 21 days from the date the denial notice was mailed to submit a written request for appeal. If your written request is late, your appeal will be denied.
The same is true if you receive an over-payment notice. If you receive an over-payment notice, file an appeal within 21 days.
If your application for unemployment benefits is approved, is also possible for your employer to “request reconsideration” or argue that you are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits. If your employer asks for reconsideration, you will receive notice of this. If you lose the reconsideration, you have 21 days from the date the notice was mailed to submit a written request for appeal. If your written request is late, your appeal will be denied.
How Do I File For Unemployment Benefits In Ohio

You can file a claim either online or through the Ohio unemployment phone number.
To file a claim online, visit the Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations page. You can file a claim online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you start your application online, you can save it and return to it within 24 hours.
If you dont have access to a computer, you can go to a local library or to a OhioMeansJobs center where computers are available for you to use. You can use this tool to find your nearest OhioMeansJobs center.
To file a claim by telephone, call 1-877-OHIO-JOB . You can call between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from a touch tone phone. Have paper and a pencil ready to record any information youre given.
Newly unemployed?
Several online serviceslike FlexJobs, 360training, or MyPerfectResumecan help you find work-from-home jobs, build a better resume, or earn training certifications.
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Are You Unemployed Not Sure If You Are Eligible To Claim Unemployment Benefits
This article will help in determining your eligibility to claim unemployment benefits. Ohio unemployment compensation programs require you to retain an attachment to the labor market as a condition to receive benefits.
One way of gauging your connection to the labor force is to assess your recent employment history. If you have worked sparingly or have been out of work for a while, you are possibly ineligible to claim benefits.
If you have worked in multiple states, the general rule is to file for unemployment in the state where you currently live.
Unemployment Benefits In Ohio During The Covid
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan . The law extended a $300 per week federal unemployment supplement until September 6, 2021. However, in response to apparent labor shortages, the state of Ohio decided to end this supplement early on June 26, 2021. That means the unemployment supplement is no longer available in Ohio.
The law also extended two unemployment programs originally created by the CARES Act in March 2020: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation .
Under the PUA program, self-employed workersusually excluded from unemployment benefitsare entitled to unemployment if they meet certain criteria. ARP makes PUA benefits available through Labor Day 2021, and increases the maximum duration of these benefits from 50 to 79 weeks.
The PEUC program provides for a federally-funded extension of benefits when state unemployment benefits expire. ARP increases the maximum duration of PEUC benefits from 24 to 53 weeks, with an expiry date of September 4, 2021.
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How To Get Cobra
Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see COBRA Premium Subsidy. The page links to information about COBRA including:
How To File For Unemployment In Ohio
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 OHIO-JOB or TTY at 642-8203. Technical questions can be answered at .
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:
Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.
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What If My Claim Is Rejected
If your unemployment benefits application is rejected and you disagree with the decision, you have the option to appeal within 21 days. Heres what to include in your appeal.
- Your Social Security number
- The date and identification number of the determination you disagree with
- Reasons you disagree
You can submit your appeal online at unemployment.ohio.gov between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time daily or by mail or fax with the processing center listed on your determination notice. During the appeal process you should continue to file unemployment claims for the weeks youre unemployed because if the appeal is ruled in your favor, you may only get payments for weeks that were properly claimed.
Types Of Disability Policies
There are two types of disability policies.
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Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year.
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Long-term policies may pay benefits for a few years or until the disability ends.
Employers who offer coverage may provide short-term coverage, long-term coverage, or both.
If you plan to buy your own policy, shop around and ask:
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How is disability defined?
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How long do benefits last?
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How much money will the policy pay?
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Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
- Will provide up to 11 weeks of an additional $300 weekly benefit to eligible claimants in multiple programs.
- Will be available for weeks of unemployment between December 27, 2020, and the week ending March 13, 2021.
Update: FPUC is now available for PUA claimants who had not exhausted the original 39 weeks of benefits provided by the CARES Act. FPUC will be paid on weeks of unemployment after December 27. All claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for, retroactive to as early as December 27, 2020.
To Register For Unemployment Benefits You Will Need

If you had out-of-state employment, have worked for the federal government, or are separated from military service, more information is required, including
- Form DD-214, member 4 copy
- SF-8 or SF-50 form
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Will The Cares Act Be Extended
Cares Act III: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Extended Yet Again For Independent Contractors. 1319) includes the Crisis Support for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020, providing for yet another extension of the CARES Act unemployment provisions this time from March 14, 2021 until September 6, 2021.
When Should I File My Unemployment Claim
As soon as you become unemployed, you need to file a claim for benefits. Your claim begins on the Sunday of the week that you file. If there is a delay in your Ohio unemployment claim filing by more than a week, you will not receive benefits for that week.
You can file weekly or biweekly unemployment claims in Ohio. You can file weekly only if you choose to have correspondence sent to you electronically instead of by US mail. Otherwise you will be switched to a biweekly schedule.
Claims must be filed no later than 21 days after the last day of the claim week .
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Will Continuing To Provide Health Insurance For Laid
Possibly. In the past, applicants who were receiving employee benefits during an idle work period could be disqualified from receiving benefits. However, some unemployment laws and regulations have been relaxed in order to assist as many Kentuckians impacted by the outbreak as possible, although this specific situation has yet to be directly addressed by an executive order or statutory amendment. Kentucky employers wishing to continue health insurance for employees who are not performing regularly scheduled work should first speak with a Dinsmore attorney and their health insurance providers.
Things To Know After Filing An Application
After filing for unemployment benefits, it is important to acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations associated with Ohio Unemployment Insurance. Also, the ODJFS provides a catalog of services to help job-seekers find jobs and to build on their skill sets to improve their competitiveness in the job market.
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Once Your Application Has Been Filed
- You will receive further information by mail or e-mail. E-mail will be sent from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your claim will be assigned to a processing center, based on the last four digits of your Social Security number. Click here for a list of processing centers by Social Security number. If filing online and you need your Personal Identification Number reset, please call toll-free 1.866.962.4064.
Coronavirus And Unemployment Insurance Benefits
An executive order issued by Governor DeWine expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio’s emergency declaration period. Unemployment benefits will be available for eligible individuals who are requested by a medical professional, local health authority, or employer to be isolated or quarantined as a consequence of COVID-19, even if they are not actually diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition, the waiting period for eligible Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits will be waived.
For more information and answers to more questions, please visit the Ohio Department Job & Family Services Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits web page.
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Eligibility Requirements For Ohio Unemployment Benefits
The ODJFS determines eligibility for workers claiming unemployment benefits in the state. You must meet these three eligibility requirements to collect unemployment benefits in Ohio:
- You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed.
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Ohio law.
- You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.
If Employees Hours Are Reduced As A Result Of The Covid

Possibly. Individuals with reduced hours may be eligible for benefits. An individuals weekly earnings that are equal to or less than 20 percent of his or her weekly unemployment benefit amount will not reduce the amount of unemployment benefits paid. However, weekly earnings over 20 percent of his or her weekly unemployment benefit amount will reduce the weekly benefit payment for the individual dollar for dollar. An employee earning equal to or more than the weekly benefit amount will not receive unemployment benefits for that week.
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How Long Will You Receive Benefits
Unemployment benefits continue up to a maximum of between 20 and 26 weeks, depending on the number of your qualifying weeks in your base period. This can be, and has been, extended during times of economic hardship.To maintain your benefits during this time, there are certain registration requirements, and you must file weekly claims to show unemployment that you are able to work available for work and actively seeking work.
If I Work In Ohio And Live In Indiana Where Do I File For Unemployment
With workers telecommuting for their jobs or moving after layoffs, interstate unemployment claims are more common than most people assume. If you performed work in Ohio but live in Indiana, you must file an interstate unemployment clam with Ohio as your liable state and Indiana as your agent state. You file for unemployment benefits in Indiana but Ohio pays the benefits and determines your compensation amounts.
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What Information Will You Need
The following is a checklist of information to gather to make your application:
- Your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, social security number, driver’s license or state ID number.
- Your regular occupation and job skills.
- Name, address, telephone number, and dates of employment with each employer you worked for during the past 6 weeks.
- The reason you became unemployed from each employer.
- Dependents’ names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth.
- If claiming dependents, your spouse’s name, Social Security number, and birth date.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen or national, alien registration number and expiration date.
- If you had out-of-state employment, have worked for the federal government, or are separated from military service, more information is required, including: Form DD-214, member 4 copy , and SF-8 or SF-50 form .
Mass Layoff Number:If you are out of work due to COVID-19, you should use Mass Layoff Number #2000180 when applying for benefits. Instructions on how to use the Mass Layoff Number can be found here.