Head Office
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
4020 East Fifth Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43219
United States
Customer Service
Phone: 1-877-OHIO-JOB
Phone: 1-877-644-6562
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About Ohio unemployment insurance
The unemployment insurance program in Ohio is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Workers eligible for unemployment benefits can file a claim online on the website or by phone. Applicants must note the eligibility rules which may vary from state to state before submitting a claim. As defined by the law, workers applying for claim must be employed for no fault of their own and must also be able and available to work. Additionally, you must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed. The ODJFS looks at work history and earnings during the “base period” to determine eligibility for unemployment. The base period would be the last four of the five complete calendar quarters. According to Ohio law, enrolees must have worked at least 20 weeks during the base period and must have earned an average of at least $247 per week. The requirement for average weekly wage during base period changes every year.
Applicants can submit a claim directly on the website
When submitting the claim form online, you will need to also furnish your Social Security Number, driver’s license and past employer/employment details. For those who are not a US citizen, you will need to show your alien registration number and work authorization. If you need help, you can visit any nearest OhioMeansJobs center. It can take any where from 3 to 4 weeks for processing an application. When pending approval, your application status will show as “pending”. Applicants who received a determination that shows status denied, can file an appeal online, by fax or mail. You have up to 21 days to file an appeal. A hearing will be scheduled by phone or in-person after which a decision on the redetermination will be issued.
If your application has been approved, you can start filing weekly claim by logging into your account online. It is also possible to make a claim by phone. You can choose to receive the amount through a Visa debit card or direct bank deposit. Claimants can receive a maximum 20 to 26 weeks of benefits in a year. The benefits are currently caped at weekly payouts of $424. For the uninitiated, the unemployment insurance program requires that claimants continue to seek work even receiving the benefits. For the same, the ODJFS operates the job platform OhioMeansJobs.com connecting employers and job seekers. For complaints or queries on application status, payment, appeal, or others, reach the Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services.
