After bars and restaurants were ordered to close for dine-in customers at 9 p.m. Sunday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced he is issuing an executive order that makes several changes to Ohio’s unemployment law.
>> Coronavirus: DeWine orders Ohio bars & restaurants to close
- Ohio's current one-week waiting period before an individual can receive unemployment will be waived
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will waive employer penalties for late reporting and payments for the next quarter to assist employers impacted by the lack of staff availability
>> Coronavirus Pandemic: What you need to know Monday
- Those that are quarantined by a doctor or by their employer will be considered unemployed and will be eligible for unemployment benefits. Those currently receiving unemployement benefits will not be asked to show they are seeking work during this period. Employees imposing self-quarantine who are not showing symptoms will not be, in most cases, eligible for unemployment benefits.
We know what we are all going through together will have a tremendous economic impact on businesses. This is our first step to help mitigate that. I want to thank all the businesses that have been working with us to come up with these ideas mentioned today. - @LtGovHusted
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 15, 2020
- Ohio is working with the federal government to allow small businesses and non-profits to apply for low-interest loans to pay for certain expenses caused by coronavirus, said Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.
To apply for unemployment benefits in Ohio:
- Online: File online at unemployment.ohio.gov 24/7
- Phone: Call 1-877-644-6562 or 614-387-8408 M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
To apply for unemployment, you will need:
- Social Security number
- Driver's license or state ID number
- Your name, address, telephone number and email address
- Name, address, telephone number and dates of employment with each employer from last 6 weeks of employment
- Reason for unemployment 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 a U.S. citizen or national, alien registration number and expiration date
- Your regular occupation and job skills
For more information, contact unemployment.ohio.gov.
