On March 15, 2020, Governor DeWine announced that he was issuing an order relaxing the requirements to receive unemployment benefits in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The order will allow those subject to quarantine by a physician or an employer and those who are unable to work due to a business being temporarily shutdown to be eligible for unemployment if they do not have paid leave available. The order will also eliminate the normal waiting period to receive such benefits. Employers also receive some relief in the order as it requires that some benefits paid during this period be charged to the mutualized account so such payments do not impact employers’ future rates. The order also waives employer penalties for late report and payment filings caused by COVID-19 during the current period. More information regarding the changes can be found on the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services website.
All Ohio employers planning a mass layoff or shutdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic should provide the following mass-layoff number – 2000180 – and the second link below to an instructional sheet to their employees to speed the processing of unemployment benefits.COVID-19-affected claimants with otherwise valid applications for unemployment will be awarded benefits. While claimants must still meet the weekly requirements that they be able and available for work, the requirement that they actively search for work while receiving benefits has been waived.COVID-19-affected contributory employers will receive regular monthly charge statements, but these charges will be charged to the mutual account and not the employer’s account.
Reimbursing employers will follow existing charging requirements under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4141.For more information, please see the press release at the following link:
Press Release: http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/pdf/031620-ODJFS-Provides-COVID-Number.stm
Instructional Sheet: https://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/num/JFS00671
If you have other questions regarding unemployment benefits or other issues impacting your business during this challenging time, contact Amy DeLuca, Matt Danese, or one of our other Team Members.
(Post Updated 3/19/2020)
This article provides an overview and summary of the matters described therein. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice on the particular subject.