Ohio unemployment updates

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided unemployment benefit programs to assist unemployed Americans. On September 5, 2021 several federal unemployment benefit programs will expire across the country.

Here is what will change:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – provided benefits to low wage earners, gig workers and self-employed people since May 2020. Those groups were not previously eligible to receive unemployment benefits and the program allowed individuals to self-certify they were unemployed due to Covid-19 related reasons.  The CARES and then American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made it possible to receive PUA for up to 79 weeks through September 4, 2021.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – offered additional unemployment weeks for people whose normal benefits had expired. The CARES act and then American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made it possible to receive PEUC for up to 79 weeks through September 4, 2021.

Impact: Claimants who have run out of their 26 weeks of regular state unemployment benefits and who are collecting benefits under PUA or PEUC will no longer receive benefits after Sept. 4 in Ohio.

$300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – the additional $300-a-week  unemployment boost expires. Under the CARES act the boost was $600 in additional benefits per week.

Impact: There is no impact from this change in federal legislation. The state of Ohio along with 24 other states opted to end this program ahead of the September 5^th federal expiration date.  In Ohio, the $300 supplement was available through the week ending June 26, 2021.

Other changes:  Effective May 23, 2021, work search requirements to be eligible for unemployment benefits resumed, even for those workers who became unemployed prior to December 6, 2020.

Back to “normal” – how to qualify for unemployment benefits in Ohio

You must be unemployed, either fully or partially. “Partial unemployment” is defined as earning less income than what you would be eligible to receive in unemployment benefits.

Be unemployed "through no fault of your own." This means that if you quit or were fired for "just cause," it is likely that you will not be able to get unemployment benefits. If you were laid-off or the business you worked for closed, it will likely count as being unemployed "through no fault of your own."

You must have earned an average weekly wage of at least $280 in at least 20 weeks of employment in either the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters or the last four completed calendar quarters.

You must be “able and available” to work and cannot refuse an offer of suitable work. “Actively seeking work” is defined by conducting two “work search activities” per week and providing written documentation of those activities.

Ohio provides 26 weeks of regular benefits for those found eligible. As of June 27, 2021, Ohio eligible workers started to receive the standard dollar amount of unemployment benefits provided for by Ohio rules. Those eligible receive 50% of their average weekly wage, subject to a maximum that varies based on the number of dependents.  People with no dependents are eligible to receive a maximum weekly benefit of $498, those with 1-2 dependents are eligible to receive a maximum weekly benefit of $604, and those with 3 or more dependents are eligible to receive a maximum weekly benefit amount of $672.

Additionally, 80% of any income earned during a week claimed is subtracted from the unemployment benefit payment for that week.

If you have any questions about unemployment or need assistance, please contact Sedgwick's Kammy Staton at 614.526.7165.