Losing your job unexpectedly can be a tremendously stressful experience. Fortunately, if you live in Ohio and have recently lost your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. Filing an unemployment claim with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) allows you to potentially receive monetary benefits. Although you won't get as much money on unemployment as you did when you were working, the benefits can ease some of your financial stress while you're looking for a job. While getting unemployment benefits, you'll also have access to free resources that can help you return to the workforce.[1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Submitting Your Claim

  1. To be eligible for unemployment, you must have worked at least 20 weeks for an employer who paid unemployment insurance during the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you claim benefits. Your average weekly income also must be above the minimum threshold. For 2019, this threshold is $261.[2]
    • For example, if you filed a claim for unemployment on August 4, 2019, your base period would be from April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. Ohio has a chart you can look at to determine your base period, available at https://unemployment.ohio.gov/PDF/HowOhioUCBenefitsAreCalculated.pdf.
    • The minimum threshold amount is adjusted for inflation each year and relates to the year you claim unemployment, not the year you worked, if the two are different.

    Not all employment counts. If you worked for a small family business, religious organization, or a nonprofit, your employment may not be covered.

  2. You will need the name, address, phone number, and dates you worked for each employer during the 6 weeks before you filed your claim. You'll also need check stubs so you can enter your income for your base period.
    • If you were working for a temp agency, list the temp agency as your employer, not any of the businesses where you were placed.
    • For each employer you list, you must also provide the reason you are no longer employed there. If your most recent employer fired you "for cause," in other words because you violated that employer's rules, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits.
  3. You will have to wait at least a week after you file your claim for benefits before you receive any benefits. This is why it's important to file your claim as soon as possible.
    • If you wait to file, you won't receive any "back benefits" for the days or weeks you were unemployed before you filed your claim.
  4. The easiest way to file for unemployment is to go to https://unemployment.ohio.gov/. Scroll down and click the button that says "File/Appeal Benefits" in the green box.
    • Make sure you finish your application when you start it. You won't be able to save it and come back. If you don't finish it in 24 hours, all of your work will be lost and you'll have to start over.
    • If you don't have internet access, you can use a computer at any public library or at an OhioMeansJobs Center. To find the nearest OhioMeansJobs Center, go to http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/wioa/map.stm and click on the county where you live on the map or select it from the drop-down menu. Below the map, there is also a link to public library locations.
    • If all of your employment over the past 18 months was in a state other than Ohio, you are not eligible to use the online system.

    Tip: If you file your application online, you can also choose to get notifications from the ODJFS electronically. This ensures you get notifications as soon as possible.

  5. If you can't make it to a public access computer or aren't comfortable working with computers, you can still apply for unemployment by calling 1-877-OHIOJOB (1-877-644-6562). Phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on government holidays.
    • Monday and Friday are the busiest days. Midweek is typically the best time to call.
    • If you need TTY service, call 1-614-387-8404. Phone lines are open the same times as the other number.
    • Have a pen or pencil and piece of paper ready when you call. You will need to write down information the operator gives you. You should also have your paycheck stubs and information about your employers handy so you can give that information to the operator.
  6. When you submit your application, you may choose to get your benefits direct-deposited to your bank account, in which case you will need to provide your account and routing numbers. If you don't have a bank account, you'll receive your benefits on a reloadable debit card that will be sent to you after your application is processed.[3]
    • Providing method of payment information does not mean that your application has been approved or is guaranteed to be approved. It simply allows the ODJFS to process your benefits faster in the event you are approved.
  7. Immediately after you file your application, you'll be sent a new claim instruction sheet. This form includes information about your claim and the review process. If any additional information is necessary to process your application, the new claim instruction sheet will include a list of documents or information needed and how to submit them.[4]
    • The form will include a deadline by which you must submit any additional documents. If you don't get those to the ODJFS by the deadline, your claim will be denied. It's in your best interest to get any required documents to the ODJFS as soon as possible to avoid any additional delays.
    • If you applied over the phone, this form will be mailed to you at the address you provide. It may take a couple of days to reach you.
  8. Unless you had to submit additional documentation, you should receive a determination within 2 to 3 weeks of the date you file your claim for benefits. The official determination notification lets you know if you are eligible for unemployment benefits, the length of time you're potentially eligible, and the amount of benefits you'll receive.[5]
    • If your application was denied, the determination notification will provide the reason for the denial and give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you believe it was reached in error.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Maintaining Your Eligibility

  1. Under Ohio law, the first week you are eligible for benefits is considered your "waiting week." You will not receive any benefits during this week. However, you still have to file a claim for benefits.[6]
    • The waiting week requirement applies to the entire year. Even if you're only unemployed for one week, you should still file a claim for benefits for that week. You won't get paid any benefits, but if you become unemployed again later in the year, you won't have to fulfill the waiting week requirement again.
  2. During the first 3 weeks, you'll file a claim for benefits every week you are unemployed. After the 3 week period is up, you'll file your claims on a biweekly basis as long as you remain unemployed and eligible for benefits.[7]
    • Generally, you can file your claims online or over the phone by calling 1-877-OHIOJOB (1-877-644-6562).
    • It may take up to 4 weeks from the date you file your initial claim for benefits before you receive your first payment. However, you should still continue to file a claim every week you are unemployed.
  3. Once you are initially determined to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you have to demonstrate on each claim you file that you were able and available to work that week. If you are sick, then you are not considered able to work and may not be eligible for full benefits that week. Likewise, if you are out of town or don't have transportation, you may not be eligible for full benefits because you're not considered available to work.[8]
    • You are still expected to file for those weeks. However, when you file your claim, you are responsible for indicating any specific days during that week when you were not able or available to work.
  4. The claim instruction sheet you received when your claim was first accepted outlines the number of job contacts you must make each week. You are also responsible for keeping a log of your job search efforts. The ODJFS has forms you can use to record your job search log.[9]
    • Generally, you must apply to at least 2 new employers each week. You will have to list the name and address of these new employers on your claim for that week along with the date you applied for work there. You should also list the outcome of that application if anything has happened with it yet. For example, if the employer told you they weren't currently hiring, you would include that information on your claim.
  5. A suitable offer of employment is one that matches your skills and previous work experience. You are not expected to accept an offer of employment that requires less experience, training, or education than you currently have. Refusing a suitable offer of employment may result in you losing your unemployment benefits for the remainder of the time you would otherwise be considered eligible for benefits.[10]
    • For example, if you previously worked as a computer tech and have a degree in computer science, you would not be required to accept employment as a cashier at a fast food restaurant.
    • The available shift does not factor into whether the offer of employment is considered "suitable." For example, if you were offered a job doing essentially the same thing you did at your last job, you couldn't turn it down simply because the only hours available were for a night shift and you preferred to work days.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Appealing a Denial

  1. If your claim was denied and you have documents or other evidence, such as witness statements, that prove the denial was made in error, you can submit these to the ODJFS to support your appeal. While you don't necessarily need additional documents to support your appeal, they make it more likely that the redetermination will be in your favor.[11]
    • If you have witnesses, have them write a statement. They may be asked to speak to an examiner in the ODJFS before a decision on your appeal is made.
  2. Your determination notice includes instructions on how to file an appeal. Generally, you can file online at https://unemployment.ohio.gov/ or send a written appeal statement by mail or fax to the processing center listed on your determination notice. The system to file an appeal online is only available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.[12]
    • Include your Social Security number, the date the determination was issued, and the identification number for the determination you disagree with. You'll find this information on your determination notice.
    • Describe in detail the reason you disagree with the determination. Stick to the facts, and include as many specifics as possible.
  3. You will receive a written notification with your redetermination within 21 days from the date you file your initial appeal. If the redetermination does not go in your favor, the notice will provide instructions on how you can appeal that decision as well.[13]
    • If the ODJFS decides that you are eligible for benefits, you'll typically receive your first benefit check within 3 weeks of the date of your redetermination.

    Tip: Continue to file weekly claims while your determination is being appealed. You will get back payments for those weeks if it is determined on appeal that you're eligible for benefits.

  4. There's no guarantee that the redetermination will be in your favor. However, you still have additional rounds of appeals that you can make. Your next step is to appeal to the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission (UCRC).[14]
    • You can also file this appeal using the online system between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you prefer to request your appeal on a paper form, you can either fax your appeal request to 614-466-8392 or mail it to Director, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations, Bureau of Benefits and Technology, PO Box 182863, Columbus, OH 43218-2863.
  5. If you still don't get a favorable decision from the UCRC, you can make your final appeal by filing a lawsuit in the Common Pleas Court. You can use the court in the county where you live or the county where you were last employed. If your appeals reach this stage, it's a good idea to hire an attorney. Legal aid attorneys are typically willing to represent you for free or at a reduced rate based on your household income.[15]
    • To find a legal aid office near you, go to ohiolegalaid.org or call 1-866-529-6446.
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About this article

Jennifer Mueller, JD
Written by:
Doctor of Law, Indiana University
This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 15,763 times.
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Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 11, 2022
Views: 15,763
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