Ohio authorities have issued guidance and waived certain requirements for unemployment, as claims overwhelm a system not designed for the mass layoffs attributed to the government-mandated business closings enacted to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
“We are doing everything we can to accommodate the dramatic increase in unemployment-related calls and web traffic that our state has seen in response to COVID-19. ... We appreciate your patience — and your assistance — during this challenging time,” the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services wrote in a recent announcement.
The guidance encourages “as many claimants as possible” to file their claims online at unemployment.ohio.gov, which it says is possible and “easy to do” 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Once a claim is filed and a claimant receives confirmation, there is no need to call us to verify that it has been filed. If they received a confirmation, then their claim has been filed. We ask for patience to allow the claim to process,” the letter says.
Unemployment insurance is a “week-to-week” benefit, so claimants must claim each week of unemployment taking the following steps:
■ Log in at unemployment.ohio.gov.
■ Click on the button next to the week they wish to claim.
■ Answer all the questions.
■ Certify your answers and click “Next” to receive a confirmation number.
Unemployment claims are filed when the week is over, with the first eligible week for claimants being the week ending March 21, with filing having started on Sunday.
There is also an online video tutorial available on the Department of Job and Family Services website.
Job and Family Services’ call center hours have been expanded, to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Those needing assistance to file their claims may call 1-877-OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) toll-free.
Additionally, the governor has issued an executive order waiving certain unemployment insurance requirements.
“The measure was taken in order to expedite the processing of benefits for individuals who lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic and allow them to receive their first benefit payments as quickly as possible,” according to a prepared statement.
Those who are partially or totally unemployed because of the coronavirus outbreak may qualify for unemployment benefits, including those under mandated quarantine or isolation as requested by their employer, a medical professional, or by a local health authority.
Eligible individuals will not have to serve a traditional one-week waiting period, but are required to file a claim each week. They will not have to actively seek work and are exempt from traditional re-employment requirements.
Those who decide to self-quarantine and quit their job will not be eligible for unemployment benefits, according to the document.
Job and Family Services is instructing individuals who file unemployment claims to use the mass lay-off number 2000180 during their application process.
“If you have already filed an application, there is no need to worry about adding the mass-layoff number. Your application will be processed,” the letter states.
Lucas County spokesman Mark Reiter said that computers that are normally available for public use at OhioMeansJobs Lucas County, 1301 Monroe St., and Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s branch libraries, are currently unavailable because all those locations are currently closed to the public.
For more information and resources related to unemployment insurance and the coronavirus, visit: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm.
First Published March 25, 2020, 10:19 p.m.