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Pandemic Unemployment Programs and Benefits in Ohio

Posted in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Workplace Injuries and Claims on April 1, 2020

Updated: January 14, 2021

NOTE: If you are unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic, more information can be found at unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov.  

The Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, signed on December 27, 2020, extends and amends the following pandemic unemployment programs and benefits through March 13, 2021:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

  • Once implemented, will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of up to 50 weeks.
  • Will require a weekly certification specifying a specific “COVID-19 CARES Act reason,” beginning on January 26.
  • Will require individuals to substantiate employment or self-employment in the most recent tax year, beginning on January 31.
  • Will require identity verification at the outset of a claim, beginning on January 26.
  • Will impose new limitations on backdating claims.
  • Will be available until the week ending March 13. Those still eligible on March 13 and who have weeks remaining may file through April 10.
  • Will provide states with new authority to waive PUA and Lost Wages Assistance overpayments, under certain conditions.
  • Requires PUA appeals to be conducted in the same manner and extent as traditional unemployment appeals.

Update: PUA claims can be filed for weeks prior to December 27. In addition, claimants who had not exhausted the original 39 weeks provided by the CARES Act may now file weekly claims and receive payment. New claims cannot yet be filed because system programming is needed to implement the new program integrity requirements and make the additional 11 weeks available. All claimants will receive all benefits for which they are eligible. 

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

  • Once implemented, will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of up to 24 weeks, for eligible individuals who exhaust their traditional unemployment benefits
  • Will be available until the week ending March 13. Those still eligible on March 13 and who have weeks remaining may file through April 10.
  • Will provide states the option to allow individuals to continue receiving PEUC even if they qualify for traditional unemployment in a subsequent benefit year if certain other conditions are met. This includes if their traditional unemployment weekly benefit amount would be at least $25 lower than the PEUC amount.

Update: New PEUC applications can be filed, and those who previously were approved to receive up to 13 weeks of PEUC benefits through the CARES Act may file claims for those weeks and receive payment. System programming will be needed to provide the additional 11 weeks of PEUC benefits. All claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for, retroactive to as early as December 27, 2020.

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Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)

  • 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.

Employer Benefits

  • Extends full federal funding for Ohio’s SharedWork program.
  • Extends 50% credits to reimbursing employers for traditional unemployment benefit charges.
  • Extends federal payment of the first week of traditional unemployment benefits, at 50% instead of 100%.
  • Requires claimants to be notified about state return-to-work requirements.
  • Extends the waiver of interest to states whose Unemployment Insurance Trust Funds require federal borrowing.

In addition, the legislation created a new program—Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation.

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation

  • For individuals eligible for traditional unemployment benefits who also have earned wages in self-employment.
  • Once implemented, will provide an additional $100 a week, on top of the $300 FPUC benefit.

There is no entitlement gap for most programs, and the legislation does not impact traditional unemployment benefits. In addition, ODJFS expects that the programs and benefits that were extended with little to no changes in the new law will be up and running shortly.

Because many of the provisions contain complex additional requirements, more detailed guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor must be analyzed before system programming can be conducted and benefits paid. We ask for everyone’s patience as that occurs. Please continue to check this web page for updates.

Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Ohio has two ways to file an application for Unemployment Insurance Benefits:

  • Online
    File online at http://unemployment.ohio.gov, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Service may be limited during nightly system updating. Check the website for available services. Please be sure to follow the instructions.
  • Telephone
    Call toll-free 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408, (excluding holidays).
    EXTENDED CALL CENTER HOURS: Agents are available to assist with PIN resets and take initial applications Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)