Expanded Ohio Unemployment Benefits
If you don’t qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, more help is on the way. Workers who have lost their jobs as a result of Coronavius can start pre-registering for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
Also, the 400,000 Ohioans who have already qualified for unemployment benefits for their COVID-19 job loss will receive a $600 check each week as part of the expanded federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) program. Those checks start this week and will be available through July 25. A note on their pay stubs will read “FAC”
Ohioans who wouldn’t normally qualify for unemployment can start pre-registering today. Here are the three important facts.
Who’s eligible for the expanded assistance?
- self-employed workers
- 1099 tax filers
- part-time workers
- those who lack sufficient work history
- Individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment extensions
How much will they get?
- PUA benefits will be retroactive to the date they qualified, as early as February 2.
- The benefit amount will be similar to traditional unemployment benefits, plus an additional $600 per week
- Eligible workers will receive benefits through July 25
How to Apply
To pre-register for PUA benefits, go to unemployment.ohio.gov and click on “Get Started Now.
This allows you to get in line for when the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services begins to process claims for expanded benefits in May.
The expanded benefits are all part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Kimberly Hall, the Director of ODJFS apologized for the delay in distributing funds.
“I also know that many eligible Ohioans are still waiting to receive benefits, and I am very sorry for the delay. We understand the urgency of providing individuals with the resources they need to support their families. Since mid-March, we have focused on expanding staff support, working longer hours, and partnering with private sector experts to add more technological capacity to our system. We will not rest until all eligible Ohioans are served.”
Anyone with questions about Expanded Ohio Unemployment Benefits should call (833) 604-0774.