COVID-19 AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for unemployment compensation if you are an employee and:
- Are unable to work because your doctor, health agency, or employer requests that you
isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19; or
- Your employer lays you off due to the loss of production caused by COVID-19.
You do NOT need to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
You do NOT have to be totally unemployed. If your hours of work are reduced, you may still be eligible
for some unemployment compensation.
Do I need documentation?
Documentation is NOT required, but may be helpful. If you do not have documentation, you should not
wait to file– file immediately. If possible, you should ask your doctor, health agency, or employer for
something in writing that you have been requested to isolate due to COVID-19 concerns OR that your
hours of work have been reduced due to COVID-19.
What if I am a tipped employee?
If you are a tipped employee and the employer did not include tips in the wages, you will need to file an
affidavit with your tipped wages for ODJFS to review and determine the benefit amount due. If the
employer includes tips in your wages, there is nothing for you to do.
What if I want to isolate myself but nobody has asked me to do so?
If you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms but want to isolate or quarantine because of COVID-19,
you may NOT be eligible for unemployment compensation.
How to apply:
- Online: http://unemployment.ohio.gov , 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- Telephone: 877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408, Monday through Friday 8am-5pm
How to qualify
To qualify, you must have worked at least 20 weeks and earned at least an average weekly wage of
$269 in the past 4 or 5 calendar quarters. If you are unsure, you should still apply and this information
will be verified.
No waiting week or work search
If you qualify because your doctor, health agency, or employer requests that you isolate or quarantine
due to COVID-19, you will not be required to meet the work search requirements to get unemployment
compensation.
Whether you are totally, partially, or participating in the SharedWork Ohio Program, you can receive
unemployment compensation starting the first week.
For more information: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm
YOU MAY ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDING:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Ohio Works First (cash assistance)
- Prevention, Retention, and Contingency funds (one-time cash assistance)
- Medicaid
You can apply for these benefits by contacting your local County Department of Job and Family
Services. You can also apply online at benefits.ohio.gov