Job & Family Services Unemployment Compensation FAQ's
Unemployment Compensation FAQs
Filing an Application for Benefits
 
When to File an Application for Benefits
  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.
 
Notice to Claimants
  Federal law requires you to furnish your social security account number on the claim application in order for your application to be processed. Authority for this requirement is provided in Title lll of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [26 U.S.C. 85, 6011(a), 6050B, and 6109(a)]. ODJFS will use your social security number (1) to report your employment compensation to the Internal Revenue Service as potentially taxable income, (2) as a record index for processing your claim, (3) for statistical purposes, 4) to verify your eligibility for unemployment compensation and other public assistance benefits, and (5) as otherwise required or permitted under applicable federal or state law, including Chapter 4141 of the Ohio Revised Code.
 
Applying for Benefits
  To file a new application for Ohio unemployment benefits or to reopen an existing Ohio claim, you can:
  • File on-line at http://unemployment.Ohio.gov
  • Access our web site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Service may be limited during the nightly updates of our system. Check the web site for what services are currently available.
  • File by telephone at (877) OHIOJOB (644-6562) or TTY (888) 642-8203. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Peak call times are Monday and Tuesday. For faster service, call on Wednesday or Thursday, or file on-line.
    When you call, please have paper and a pencil available.
 
Information Needed When Applying
  You should be prepared to provide the following information when you file a new application:
  • Your social security number and either your driver's license or state ID number
  • Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
  • The name, address, telephone number, and dates of your employment with each employer for whom you worked during the past 6 weeks
  • If you had out-of-state employment within the past 18 months, the name, address, telephone number, and dates of your employment for each out-of-state employer with whom you worked during that period
  • If you were separated from military service with any branch of the U.S. armed forces within the past 18 months, your discharge papers (form DD-214, Member 4)
  • If you were employed by the federal government within the past 18 months, the SF-8 or SF-50 form given to you by your government employer at the time of your separation
  • The reason you became unemployed from each employer
  • Dependents' names, social security numbers, and dates of birth
  • If claiming dependents, your spouse's name and social security number
  • Alien Registration Number and the expiration date of your work authorization (if you are not a U.S. citizen or national)
  • Your regular occupation and job skills
 
Claiming a Dependent Child
  You may claim as your dependent a child, stepchild, or adopted child who is under 18 years of age and for whom you provided more than 50 percent of the cost of support during the 90-day period prior to filing your application. If you provide proper documentation of the disability, you may also claim as your dependent a child, stepchild, or adopted child 18 years of age or older, who is mentally or physically disabled and unable to work. Your dependents will not be allowed if you have a spouse who filed for unemployment compensation within the past year and received an increased weekly benefit amount because she/he claimed dependents.
 
Claiming a Dependent Spouse
  You may claim as your dependent your spouse who lives with you if, during the 90-day period prior to filing your application, he/she had income less than 25 percent of your base period average weekly wage and you provided more than 50 percent of the cost of his/her support.
 
What to Expect
  Whether you file your application by telephone or on-line, the process will take about 20-25 minutes. If you are on-line and disconnect before completing your application, you may use your Username and PIN to log back into the application later and resume answering questions. The information you have entered will be retained for approximately 24 hours. Your application is not considered filed until you certify and receive a confirmation number.