Unless Congress takes action to again extend deadlines, many Ohioans currently receiving unemployment compensation may soon reach the end of allowable benefits. The law currently states that claimants who exhaust their maximum 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits after February 20, 2010, will not be eligible for extended federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. In addition, claimants who exhaust their current extended EUC benefits after February 27, 2010, will not be eligible for additional benefits.

For further information regarding the EUC program and deadlines, please see UC Federal Extended Benefits FAQs.

ODJFS is encouraging Congress to extend the deadlines. We will post more information as soon as we have it.

On Saturday, December 19, 2009, President Obama signed legislation that lengthened the time period for which individuals may receive the following unemployment benefit programs:

The Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) program, which allows states to pay an additional $25 for each week that an individual receives unemployment benefits, has been extended from December 2009 to February 2010. Individuals who establish regular UC claims prior to February 28, 2010, may receive the additional $25 payment through the week of August 28, 2010.

For further information, please see UC Changes Due to Stimulus Package.

The federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program has been extended from December 2009 to February 2010. Individuals with a remaining balance of EUC benefits after February may continue to collect benefits until July 2010.

For further information, please see UC Federal Extended Benefits FAQs.

The 100 percent federally funding for State Extended Benefits (known as “Ohio EB” or “Ohio Extended Benefits”) has also been extended from December 2009 to February 2010.

For further information, please see UC State Extended Benefits FAQs.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has been notified of a national scheme targeting recipients of unemployment compensation benefits. Multiple states have reported customers receiving bogus text messages on their cell phones, claiming to be from state unemployment agencies. The bogus message informs recipients that their unemployment benefits have been suspended and to call the provided phone number to reactivate. When recipients call, they are asked for personal information, including debit card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN). At that point, unemployment benefits deposited on the debit card are accessed and withdrawn by the scammer.

ODJFS warns its customers that representatives will never ask for their debit card information or their PIN. Additionally, ODJFS is working with our debit card provider, US Bank, to further protect, inform and educate our customers.

If you receive one of these bogus messages, do not respond. If you suspect funds have been inappropriately accessed, call the customer service number provided on the back of your debit card: (866) 276-5114.

When to file an application for unemployment benefits
You should file your application as soon as you become unemployed. Your claim will begin the Sunday of the calendar week in which it is filed. Waiting more than a full week to file your application will postpone the beginning of your claim, and no benefits will be paid for weeks of unemployment that occur prior to the week of filing. Even if you need to serve the required waiting week or you are receiving separation pay from your employer, do not hesitate in filing your application for unemployment benefits.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
for Parents With Child Support Orders

If you have a child support order in Ohio and you have encountered a lay-off or plant closing, you may already qualify to have your child support case reviewed and adjusted.

For more information, please visit the Ohio Office of Child Support website at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/index.stm

Filing for unemployment compensation benefits is a free service. The State of Ohio is aware some companies are charging a fee to file your unemployment claim for you. Please be advised these companies are NOT affiliated with the State of Ohio and are therefore not subject to the same laws regarding your privacy and the confidentiality of your Unemployment claim.