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 apply will delay the beginning of your claim, and no benefits will be paid for weeks of unemployment that occur before the week of filing. Even if you need to serve the required waiting week or you are receiving separation pay from your employer, do not wait to file your application for unemployment benefits.
 
Applying for benefits    
To file a new application for Ohio unemployment benefits, or to restart an existing Ohio claim, you can:
  • File online at unemployment.ohio.gov for immediate claim service.  Access our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Service may be limited during our nightly system updates. Check the website for available services. If you do not have access to a computer, visit your local library or One-Stop Center.  They have computers available for the public's use.
  • File by telephone at 1-877-OHIOJOB (644-6562). Telephone hours are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday  through Friday (except holidays).  Peak call times are Monday and Friday.  For faster service call on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, or file online.  When you call, please be sure to have paper and a pencil ready.  For TTY service dial toll free: 1-888-642-8203.
  • To apply for a new unemployment claim or reopen a previously filed claim, you must call on the day associated with the first letter of your last name:
    • For last names beginning with A through I, please call on Monday.
    • For last names beginning with J through L, please call on Tuesday.
    • For last names beginning with M through S, please call on Wednesday.
    • For last names beginning with T through Z, please call on Thursday.
    • If you have missed your filing day, please call on Friday.       
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 employment with each employer you worked for 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 you worked for 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 copy)
  • 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, Social Security number, and birthdates 
  • 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
False statements and how to report fraud       
ODJFS uses various technological tools to detect false statements, including unreported earnings. These sources are:
  • New hire reports from employers
  • Matches with employer's covered wages
  • Public tips by telephone, mail, fax, or internet
  • Cross-matches with other government records (e.g., Worker's Compensation or Child Support)

Deliberately giving false information in order to receive benefits is a crime. It's not worth the risk! Avoid possible criminal prosecution and stiff penalties by reporting your earnings and all other information honestly and accurately.
   
If you know someone who is claiming benefits for which they are not entitled, report them immediately by contacting our fraud hotline at 1-800-686-1555. E-mail: UCBenProtest@jfs.ohio.gov .
           

Claiming a dependent child    
To be allowed as a dependent, your child, stepchild, or adopted child must:

1) as of the benefit year beginning date, be under 18 years old, or if 18 years or older, be unable to work because of a permanent mental or physical disability; and

2) for the 90-day period preceding your benefit year beginning date (or for the duration of the parental relationship, if less than 90 days) have had more than one-half of the cost of his/her support paid by you.

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    
To be allowed as a dependent, your spouse, for the 90-day period preceding your benefit year beginning date (or for the duration of the marital relationship if it has existed for less than 90 days), must meet all of the following:

1) be legally married to you

2) be living with you

3) have had income less than 25 percent of your base period average weekly wage

4) have had more than 50 percent of his/her support provided by you
     
What to expect
Whether you apply 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 continue answering questions. The information you have entered will be kept for about 24 hours. Your application is not considered filed until you certify and receive a confirmation number.
       
May a claim for unemployment benefits be restarted?   
   If you are eligible for unemployment benefits, your benefits are payable during a 52-consecutive-week period (called a benefit year). Within the benefit year, you have a limited amount of money from which to draw benefits (called total benefits payable). If during the benefit year of your current claim you return to work and are separated or you have earned gross wages greater than your weekly benefit amount, you must apply to reopen your claim - even if you continued to submit weekly claim forms while you were working.

To reopen your claim, access your claim on line at unemployment.ohio.gov or dial 1-877-OHIOJOB (644-6562) during the first week you are unemployed or have gross earnings less than your weekly benefit amount. Waiting more than a full week to reopen your claim may prevent benefit payment for weeks of unemployment that occur before this date.
         
What information do I need to restart my claim?   
You will need to provide the name, address, and dates of employment with each employer for whom you have worked since you last claimed benefits. You should have your ID documents (state driver's license, state identification card) for reference when you file.
     
May an applicant file a claim outside of Ohio?    
If your base period employment was in Ohio, but you reside in and are seeking work in a state other than Ohio, your unemployment claim will be an Ohio interstate claim.

If you have worked in more than one state during your base period, you may qualify for unemployment benefits by combining wages from those states.  To establish a combined wage claim, you must apply for benefits with one of the states where your base period wages were reported.