COLUMBUS (March 9, 2002) - Governor Bob Taft today signed an agreement to provide up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment compensation benefits to eligible Ohioans.

"This extension will help the thousands of Ohioans who have lost their jobs due to the national recession to support their families and pay their bills as they continue to look for work," said Taft, who called on Congress to extend benefits during his State of the State address on February 5.

Under legislation passed by Congress, and signed by the President, workers who qualified for a new unemployment claim on or after March 19, 2000 could be eligible for an additional 13 weeks. Eligibility criteria for extended benefits will be the same as for the initial 26 weeks of benefits.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which administers the state's Unemployment Compensation program, will mail applications this week to more than 300,000 potentially eligible recipients. The applications should be mailed back to the department for eligibility determination.

Persons who do not receive applications in the mail by March 22, but think they may be eligible, can call a special toll-free hotline at 1-877-644-6562 during regular business hours for more information.

"We have been preparing for months to administer extended benefits and have hired an additional 60 intermittent staff to help process these claims," said ODJFS Director Tom Hayes.

While regular Unemployment Compensation benefits are funded by employer taxes, extended benefits payments will be funded by the federal government.

- 30 -

Click this link for: Extended Benefits FAQ