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How to File for Unemployment Compensation, Benefits and Other Pertinent Information

Chisa Chervenick

During these unprecedented times, we’re all facing some pretty tough decisions about how to best protect our employees, our customers, and our families. Some of those tough decisions have been made a bit easier thanks to Governor DeWine’s recent Executive Order expanding eligibility for unemployment benefits to employees affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Below, you will find information regarding eligibility, the calculation of benefits, and how to file.

Changes to Ohio unemployment eligibility for employees impacted by coronavirus:

  • Otherwise eligible employees who are requested by a medical professional, health authority, or employer to be isolated or quarantined as a consequence of COVID-19, even if they are not actually diagnosed with COVID-19, will be eligible to apply for benefits.

  • The one-week waiting period for benefits has been waived.

  • The requirement to look for a job while collecting unemployment has been waived.

  • If employees are otherwise eligible for unemployment, they may also collect benefits if they are laid off due to a loss of production caused by coronavirus.

  • Asymptomatic employees who impose a self-quarantine because of the virus are not eligible for unemployment benefits as they have chosen not to work; however the facts of the circumstances are relevant to that determination. An employee offered the option to telework would not be unemployed; an employee required to stay home by an employer but not offered telework would be eligible for benefits if they meet the monetary and weekly eligibility criteria.

General rules and eligibility:

  • Eligible employees are entitled to receive a maximum 20 to 26 weeks of benefits during a 12-month period (52 weeks), which begins when a benefits account is opened for the employee upon filing of a claim.

  • Eligible employees must have worked a minimum of 20 weeks and been paid a minimum of $269 per week on average during the “base period”.

  • The base period is the period of  time in which the number of weeks worked for a qualifying employer and the wages paid are reviewed to determine if the employee is eligible for benefits and, if so, the amount of benefits payable per week. The base period is determined by the quarter in which the employee files for unemployment benefits. (See the chart on page 15 of the Worker’s Guide to Unemployment Compensation.)          

    • For example, the “Regular Base Period” for claims filed between Jan. 5, 2020 through April 4, 2020 is October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.

    • If the employee had fewer weeks of qualified employment or earned less than the average weekly wage minimum during the Regular Base Period, Ohio Job & Family Services (“ODJFS”) will use the Alternate Base Period, which is the last 4 completed calendar quarters before the benefits begin, to determine eligibility and calculate benefits.  Under the example above, for benefits claims filed in the 1st quarter of 2020 where the employee is not eligible under the Regular Base Period, the Alternate Base Period of Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019 would be used.

Calculation of weekly benefits:

Unemployment benefits are paid at the lessor amount of 50% of the employee’s average weekly pay during the base period or the maximum amount of weekly benefits allowable per ODJFS based on the number of dependents applicable.

  • Average weekly wage equals the total amount of qualified wages paid during the base period divided by the number of weeks of qualified employment during the base period.

    • Example: An employee who earns $32,000 and has 32 weeks of qualified employment during the base period earns an average weekly wage of $1,000 for that base period.

  • The average weekly wage is divided by 50%; using the example above, equaling $500.

  • The chart on page 19 of the Worker’s Guide to Unemployment Compensation outlines the maximum amount of weekly benefits allowable. Note that the maximum amount allowable depends on the number of dependents claimed. The employee is eligible for the lesser of the 50% of average weekly wages or the maximum allowable benefits according to the number of dependents.

    • Using the above example of $500 (50% of the $1000 average weekly wages):

      • If there are zero dependents applicable, the employee will be eligible for the maximum weekly payment of $480.

      • If there are 1 or more dependents, the employee will be eligible for a weekly payment of $500, as $500 is less than the maximum allowable payment of $582 for 1-2 dependents or $647 for 3 or more dependents.       

    • Alternatively, if 50% of the employee’s average weekly wages equaled $650 with 3 dependents, they would be eligible for the maximum weekly payment of $647.

Employees can file a claim for unemployment benefits online at http://unemployment.ohio.gov or by phone (M-F 8am-5pm) at 1-877-644-6562. They’ll need the following information to file:

  • SSN

  • Driver’s license or state ID number

  • Name, address, phone number, email address

  • Name, address, phone number, and dates of employment with each employer worked for during the past 6 weeks of employment

  • Reason for becoming unemployed for each employer

  • Dependents’ names, SSN, DOB; if claiming dependents, spouse’s name, SSN and DOB

  • Alien registration number and expiration date if not a US citizen or national.

  • Occupation and job skills

  • Additional info required if out of state employment, federal government employment, or separation from military service are applicable.

Additional Resources (including charts referenced above):

Hopefully the above information has been helpful. This is a difficult time. We can take some solace in the fact that many employees will be eligible for unemployment benefits to minimize the disruption to their income and focus on their health. As always, we are here to help with any specific questions you may have.  

Please contact us here.