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Ohio has been approved to distribute weekly $300 Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payments to eligible individuals who were fully or partially unemployed, or working reduced hours under a SharedWork Ohio plan, because of COVID-19 for weeks ending August 1 through September 5, 2020. If you received traditional unemployment, Trade, SharedWork Ohio or extended benefits because of COVID-19 during that time, you must certify that you are eligible. For instructions and more information, please visit https://jfs.ohio.gov/lwa. You will receive one retroactive LWA payment for all weeks that you qualify.

If you receive an unemployment insurance overpayment because of unreported or underreported wages/earnings, you must repay that debt to ODJFS within 60 days. If you do not, the overpayment will be reported to the Ohio Attorney General for collection, and any federal income tax refund owed to you could be intercepted. Always correctly report your wages/earnings in the week in which they were earned. If you have questions, call your assigned processing center or (877) 644-6562.

Federal employees affected by the federal government shutdown can file for Ohio Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits if they are partially or totally unemployed due to the federal shutdown.

Federal employees who wish to file for unemployment insurance are encouraged to file with the state where the job is located not necessarily their resident state.

New Ohio UI claims may be filed online at https://unemployment.ohio.gov (*go to the “Unemployed Workers” section under the tab, “File/Appeal Benefits”), or those needing special assistance may call (877) 644-6562.

If individuals are paid Ohio UI benefits and later receive backpay for the same weeks, the UI weeks will be considered overpaid, and ODJFS will send a notice requiring repayment of the benefits.

Additional information regarding federal employee eligibility can be found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouc/News/UIGuidanceToFedEmployeesAffectedByTheShutdown.stm

While using our website to file applications or weekly claims, you may encounter pop-up advertisements for prepaid debit cards, such as NetSpend or GreenDot. These services are not associated with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and are not required for you to receive unemployment benefits. They are related to your internet browser history.

If you are a furloughed federal employee, please note that there are two ways to file for unemployment compensation: (1) from this web page, by clicking on "File/Appeal Benefits," from the green, Unemployed Workers menu above, or (2) by calling toll-free 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-888-642-8203, (excluding holidays) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you are furloughed, you may or may not qualify for unemployment benefits. However, if you believe you might be eligible, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you do receive benefits, and if Congress passes a law to retroactively pay you for the days you were off work, you would have to repay the benefit. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-644-6562.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has been made aware of a scam targeting individuals filing applications for unemployment benefits. Some applicants have received an email from an entity calling itself the Unemployment Advisory Department, with the email address support@us-benefits.org. The email states that the person's application for benefits was received but not completed, and it provides links that it says will complete the unemployment filing process. This email is a scam. Individuals should ignore the email and not click on the links provided as they are an attempt to obtain personal identifying information. ODJFS never requests credit card information from unemployment applicants. To avoid identity theft, always use caution when providing personal or financial information.

Federal 1099-G tax forms for unemployment benefits paid in 2015 are now available online. You can view and print your 1099-G from your correspondence inbox. In addition, this form will be sent by U.S. mail to the most current address on your claim. If you have moved since your last claim, please update your mailing information online by logging into your account or call 1-877-OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) and select Option #1.

The most common - and avoidable - overpayments occur when claimants return to work and fail to report it on their weekly claims.

Every week, claimants are asked: "Did you work or were you self-employed during the week being claimed?" If you worked but will be paid at a later date, you still must answer "yes" and provide the earnings for that week.

Claimants who intentionally withhold information or provide false information in an effort to collect benefits have committed fraud.

Ohio law calls it "fraudulent misrepresentation" and the penalties include:

• Repayment of all benefits paid in error.


• Withholding unpaid amounts from future benefits.


• Ineligibility for two future allowable weeks of benefits for each fraudulent misrepresentation.


• Starting on October 21, 2013, a 25% penalty on all benefits paid due to fraudulent misrepresentation.

In addition, any unpaid balances are subject to federal and state income tax withholding.

Please properly report work and earnings on your weekly claims. If you believe you may have incorrectly reported work and/or earnings, contact your assigned processing center or call 1-877-644-6562 to speak with a customer service representative.

Welcome to Ohio's redesigned unemployment insurance website. Although the look and layout have changed, you'll find all the same great resources, in addition to many new features. We hope you enjoy the streamlined format!

Need help understanding the work-search requirements at OhioMeansJobs.com? Check out these short videos, which provide step-by-step instructions:

In order to best protect confidential and other important data, the ODJFS website will no longer support several outdated web browsers. Effective December 5, 2014, Internet Explorer 6 or older, Opera 4 or older and Netscape Navigator will no longer work on ODJFS sites that are https-enabled.

U.S. Bank is making several changes to the ReliaCard Visa debit card and its related services, effective October 22, 2014. All card holders will receive a letter explaining the changes. The following is a summary:

• The customer service website is now www.usbankreliacard.com.
• Customers may need to create a new user name and password, if their current ones do not meet new security requirements.
• Cardholders can now use an online bill pay tool, with no fees. The previous expedited payment option will be discontinued. Customers with automatic payments set up through the expedited payment option will need to reset them with the new online bill pay tool.
• Customers who have set up text and email alerts will have to reset them online at www.usbankreliacard.com.
• The mobile app has been redesigned and given a new name. Customers can search for "U.S. Bank ReliaCard" in their app store.
• Scheduled fees have not changed.

Anyone with questions should call the Cardmember Services at 1-855-254-9198.

If you have been notified that you have an overpayment, now you can repay that amount with a credit card or by requesting an electronic funds transfer. Quickly repaying overpayments will prevent the debt from being referred to the Attorney General’s Office for collection.

To choose one of these convenient options, please use the link in the left menu under Unemployed Workers called “Repay Overpayment”, or call (614) 995-5691 and select option 3.

Beginning October 11, 2013, if you are scheduled to attend a reemployment service session in person or to complete a reemployment service activity, but you fail to do so by the scheduled date, your benefits will stop until you complete the required action.

• If you are scheduled for a reemployment service activity, you will be sent a Schedule Notice. Be sure to check your mail (email and/or US mail) on a daily basis so that you do not miss any important notices.


• If you miss an appointment, you will need to reschedule. If no immediate session openings are available, you may lose benefits for a week or more until another opening is available.

Please note that you are expected to attend reemployment service sessions or complete reemployment service activities just as you are expected to go to job interviews offered by employers. If you are unable to attend a session or complete an activity by the scheduled date, you must contact the local OhioMeansJobs Center listed on your Schedule Notice to reschedule.

The ODJFS Office of Unemployment Compensation has produced several new YouTube videos to help our customers better understand our services and their responsibilities. To view them, just click on the links below.

Unemployed Workers

• Unemployment Compensation Work Search Requirements


• Unemployment Compensation and 'Fraudulent Misrepresentation'


• OhioMeansJobs Services for Individuals

Employers

• Important Unemployment Compensation News for Employers


• Online Unemployment Tax Filing for Employers


• OhioMeansJobs Services for Employers

Watch for additional YouTube videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/OhioJFS.

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.

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