Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, many businesses in Ohio have been forced to temporarily shut their doors, leading to lost jobs and wages across the state. Our Southwest Ohio attorney, Emily Meyer, discusses Governor Mike DeWine’s expansions to unemployment benefits in our latest legal clinic video, in light of these recent developments.

To receive unemployment benefits, you do not need to be diagnosed with COVID-19 or in a medically mandated self-quarantine. As long as your current state of unemployment is due to a coronavirus-related shutdown or layoff, you are eligible. 

Previously, in order to receive unemployment benefits in the state of Ohio, you would have been required to actively search for work during your benefits period. Under Governor DeWine’s expansion of the benefits program, this requirement has been suspended during this period of emergency. DeWine has also lifted the required one-week waiting period so that those in need of unemployment benefits can begin receiving monetary assistance right away.

These changes will only be in place while Ohio is in a State of Emergency. 

There are two basic ways to apply for unemployment benefits. You can either go online or call the unemployment office at 877-644-6562 M-F, 8am-5pm. In order to apply, you will need your Social Security number, your driver’s license or state ID number. You will need to provide your name, address, telephone number, and email address. You will also need to provide the information about your employer(s) from the last six weeks, your dates of employment, and your reason for unemployment. 

If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 855-LGBT-LAW or schedule an intake appointment.