Ohio Unemployment

Who Qualifies for Unemployment in Ohio?

In order to qualify for unemployment in Ohio you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. Everyone, except workers that remain attached to an employer’s payroll, have to:

• Register with the Employment Security Commission.
• File a claim for each week you collect unemployment
• Be actively looking for a new job each week that you collect unemployment benefits.

 

 

What You Will Need When You File

• Social security number.
• Driver license number or state issued ID number.
• Name, home and mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.
• Name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked at each employer in your last 6 weeks of work.
• Explanation for why you lost your job with each employer.
• The names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for your dependents.
• You will need your spouse’s name social security number, and birth date if you claim dependents.
• You will need your alien registration number and expiration date if you aren’t a U.S. citizen.
• Information about the type of work that you do and your job skills, training and/or education.

Also, you might need: If you worked outside of Ohio, were an employee of the federal government, or have prior military service, you will need:

• Form DD-214-member 4 copy (for military)
• SF-8 or SF-50 form (for federal government workers)

How do I file for Ohio unemployment benefits?

The are two ways that Ohio residents can file for unemployment:

1. File online: http://unemployment.ohio.gov.
2. File by phone: Toll-free 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-888-642-8203, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Calling the Toll-Free Number?

When calling 1-877-644-6562, you have these choices:

1. Press #1 for help filing for unemployment.
2. Press #2 if you need to file for your weekly benefits, if you need information about payments, or to check the status of a claim that you’ve already filed.
3. Press #3 if you received a statement of overpayment in the mail or received a notice of change in work-search requirements and have been required to register for job search services.

After You File Your Application

• Additional information will be sent to you by mail or email.
• The claim that you filed will get assigned to a Processing Center, which will be determined by your social security number.
• Sometimes you will need to have your Personal Identification Number (PIN) reset when you file online. If this happens, you should call 1-866-962-4064.

Ohio Unemployment Office Contact Information

Ohio Unemployment Website

http://unemployment.ohio.gov

Ohio Unemployment Mailing Address

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
30 E. Broad Street, 32nd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Ohio Unemployment Phone Numbers

1-877-852-0010
1-614-466-2100

Eligibility Requirements

In order to receive unemployment benefits, you must meet these requirements:

1. When you file, you must be unemployed. You cannot file before you lose your job.
2. You worked enough weeks and earned enough income in “covered” employment during your base period. To determine your base period, use the chart below.
3. You didn’t “quit” your job (unless you had just cause) or did not get fired with just cause.
4. If you filed a previous claim, you have to had worked six weeks and meet a total income requirement before you can file a new claim.

Base Period

Use this table to figure out your base period, which will be used to determine your eligibility and the amount of your benefits.

If your claim begins between these dates:	Your base period will be:
January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012	October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011
April 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012	January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
July 1, 2012 through October 6, 2012	April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012
October 7, 2012 through January 5, 2013	July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012

Reasons for Unemployment

Lack of work

If you lost your job because of “lack of work” (which includes, you got laid-off, your job no longer exists, your employer closed their business, or plant or factory where you work was closed), then you are unemployed through no fault of your own. Your employer will be contacted and have to confirm the reason you lost your job.

Voluntarily quit or left your job

If you quit your job, but still had the option to remain employed, you will have to prove that you had “just cause” for quitting your job. Below are examples of situations in which you can quit your job for “just cause”:

• Your job or employer didn’t live up to the terms of your employment agreement or employment contract.
• Your job or employer didn’t provide the appropriate safety measures that are required by state, federal, and other applicable laws.
• Your job violated accepted moral or ethical standards, or violated state or federal laws.

If you quit your job, the burden of proof is on you to prove that you had “just cause”.

You Were Fired

If you were fired, you might not be able to collect unemployment benefits. If you get fired, by law, your employer has to prove that you were fired for just cause. Examples of just cause for firing an employee include:

• You broke the company rules.
• You did not fulfill the responsibilities of your job.
• You did not look out for your employer’s best interest.
• Poor work performance.

If they determine that your employer did not fire you for just cause, you may be eligible to collect unemployment.

Determination of Unemployment Compensation

A Determination of Unemployment Compensation will tell you if your unemployment application was approved or not, as well as give you the reason for that decision. If you feel like you were incorrectly denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Labor Dispute

If you lose your job due to a labor dispute (except for a lockout), you will not be eligible to collect unemployment for the duration the dispute. If you lost your job due to a lockout, this won’t automatically make you ineligible for unemployment.

Leave of Absence

If you are out of work because you took a voluntary leave of absence you are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits while you are on the leave of absence.

Disciplinary Layoff

If you are out of work because of a disciplinary layoff or suspension given to you by your employer due to poor work performance or misconduct on the job, you are not eligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Ability to Work

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits you have to be capable, both physically and mentally able, to do the work done in your job, trade, or occupation.

Available To Work

The definition of being available to work is that you have to be willing and prepared to work at any job, and on any shift of any job that you would normally work at based on your job training, experience, and normal occupation.