COLUMBUS — In a sign that Ohioans are heading back to work, statistics the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported to the U.S. Department of Labor Thursday show that, for the seventh straight week, continued weekly claims for unemployment benefits have declined.
Those who remain jobless filed 287,499 fewer continued claims last week compared to the peak in April, according to a news release from the state.
In addition, the number of initial unemployment applications has declined. For the week ending June 13, ODJFS reported 32,788 initial jobless claims to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The total number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last 13 weeks — 1,360,631 — is more than the combined total of those filed during the last three years.
Over the last 13 weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $4.1 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 700,000 claimants. Of the more than 1 million applications the agency has received, more than 94% have been processed, with less than 6% pending.
In addition, ODJFS has issued more than $2.1 billion in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to more than 262,000 claimants.
Recovery efforts
While ODJFS continues to manage the state’s unemployment program, it also has multiple initiatives underway to help spur Ohio’s economic recovery. These include an $8.5 million National Dislocated Worker Grant that will help unemployed workers and employers impacted by COVID-19.
ODJFS works in partnership with local workforce development boards and local staff to provide employment and training services at 22 comprehensive and 66 affiliate OhioMeansJobs centers throughout the state. Individuals can visit OhioMeansJobs.com or their local OhioMeansJobs center to find and apply for job openings, take skill and career interest assessments, create or improve their resumes, and practice interviewing.
Employers can call or visit their nearest OhioMeansJobs center to get help finding skilled candidates for jobs, screening resumes, learning about federally funded tax credits or training programs, and more.
To find your nearest OhioMeansJobs center, go to jfs.ohio.gov/county or visit OhioMeansJobs.com and click on the icon for OhioMeansJobs centers. Ohioans also can visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch and can click on
“Find Jobs Near Me” to be taken to postings for essential jobs that employers need filled now.
More info
• ODJFS urges individuals to file their unemployment claims online, if possible, at unemployment.ohio.gov
• Individuals seeking PUA benefits should file their claims online at http://pua.unemployment.ohio.gov
All eligible Ohioans will receive their unemployment benefits – and any delays in processing their claims will not reduce the amount received.
• Coronavirus-Specific Unemployment Information: unemployment.ohio.gov
• Filing for Unemployment Step-by-Step Guide: jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/pdf/QuickTipsAndStepByStepGuide.pdf
• New federal Pandemic Unemployment Programs: jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm/pdf/CARES-ACT.pdf
As a reminder, mass layoff notices are posted at jfs.ohio.gov/warn/current.stm
