Ohio Unemployment Registration process is simple and also straightforward, we made this tutorial easy for anyone trying to apply for Ohio Unemployment benefits.
To apply for Ohio Unemployment there are certain things you need in order to get started, don’t worry we made everything easy and discloses everything in this post just read attentively.
How do Unemployment Benefits Work in Ohio?
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services oversees the state’s unemployment insurance benefits program through the Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations. When you lose your job, you should apply for benefits as soon as possible online or by phone — there’s no option for in-person applications.
If your claim is approved, you can receive unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks a year. But states may choose to revise their benefits in times of economic crisis, and the federal government may help fund extended state benefits during such times.
Who is Eligible for Ohio Unemployment Benefits?
To qualify for Ohio unemployment, four factors must be met:
1: You must be “totally” or “partially” unemployed at the time you file your application. “Totally” unemployed means you performed no services for your employer and no income or benefits are payable to you during the week you apply for benefits.
“Partially” unemployed means that if your employer lets you go before the end of your usual work week, or reduces your hours to less than your full-time work week and you earn less than the unemployment weekly benefit amount, you may be “partially unemployed” and eligible for benefits.
2: You worked enough weeks and earned enough money in “covered” employment during the “base period” of your claim. You must have worked at least 20 weeks in covered employment during the base period. While most employers are considered covered employers, not all work is covered employment. For example, if you worked for a small family business or religious organization then the employment may not be covered.
Also, for 2020 claims, you must have an average weekly wage (before taxes or other deductions) of at least $269. The base period can be complicated to explain, but Ohio provides a regular base period and an alternative base period which are timeframes in which you must have worked at least 20 weeks and met the wage requirement.
3: You are unemployed through no fault of your own. For example, if you quit your recent job with good reason or if the employer fired you without good cause then that would be considered no fault of your own. “Unemployed” can be established through several ways.
Lack of work (such as being laid off, job being abolished, the business closed, or the plant shut down) or quitting your job due to just cause (such as the employer failing to satisfy their end of the employment agreement, employer’s violation of safety standards, or the employer’s violation of legal or moral standards) are two ways this can be shown.
However, if you are discharged or fired for just cause (such as violating company rules, poor work performance, or neglected your responsibilities) or you have taken a leave of absence or disciplinary layoff, or are on strike then you would not be eligible for unemployment benefits.
4: If you had a prior benefit account, you reestablished yourself as a worked by performing enough work since the prior account began. If you had a prior unemployment claim, in order to file a new claim you must have worked at least six weeks between the two claims and you must have earned a total of three times the average weekly wage you earned before filing the previous claim.
If you are sure that all the above is met then lets move to the Ohio Unemployment Registration process.
Ohio Unemployment Registration Steps
You have two ways to apply for Ohio unemployment benefits.
Online: File an application for Ohio unemployment benefits any time online at unemployment.ohio.gov. Click on the red “apply for unemployment now” button and follow the instructions.
By phone: Call 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408 to reach an agent for assistance. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, excluding holidays.
You’ll need to provide the following information to apply for unemployment benefits in Ohio:
- Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse and any dependents you’re claiming
- Your name, address, telephone number and email address
- Names and dates of birth for your spouse and any dependents you’re claiming
- Your driver’s license or state ID number
- Name, address, telephone number and dates of employment with each employer you worked for during the past six weeks of employment
- The reason you became unemployed (you’ll need a reason for each employer)
- Alien registration number and expiration date if you’re not a U.S. citizen or national
- Your regular occupation and job skills
If you were employed out of state, have worked for the federal government or are separated from military service, you’ll need to provide additional information.
Read More: Ohio Unemployment Login: How To Get Into Your Account
How to Talk to a Live Person in Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Customer Service
If you need to speak to a live customer service representative in Ohio Department of Job and Family Services customer service you need to dial 1-877-644-6562. To speak with a live agent, you need to press 1 (for English), then press 0 and stay on the line (typical waiting time is about 10-45 minutes).
Ohio Unemployment Claims Customer Service Phones
Ohio Unemployment Claims customer service phone number is 1-877-644-6562. Live customer service representatives from Ohio Unemployment Claims are available from 7am to 7pm EST Monday-Friday, from 9am to 5pm EST Saturday, from 9am to 1pm EST Sunday.
For Employer Help Desk you need to dial 1-614-466-2319.
For TTY you need to dial 1-888-642-8203.
Bottom line
Unemployment benefits are a temporary solution to help unemployed workers pay bills and care for dependents. But you must meet eligibility requirements to receive unemployment compensation (and keep receiving it). You can take the first step by submitting an application with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services