Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Available (Ohio, May 13, 2020)
Summary
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced on May 13, 2020 that Ohioans could apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a federal CARES Act program covering self-employed individuals, 1099 tax filers, part-time workers and others not eligible for regular unemployment. PUA offers up to 39 weeks of benefits, plus an additional $600 per week through July 25, and runs through December 31 with no minimum income requirement. Benefits can be retroactive to as early as February 2, according to Director Kimberly Hall. Applicants must not qualify for regular benefits and must meet a COVID-19 circumstance such as a diagnosis, a school closure or a closed workplace. Over the prior seven weeks ODJFS had received more than 1 million initial regular claims, more than the previous three years combined, and approved more than 89% of them.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bret Crow, Bret.Crow@jfs.ohio.gov or
May 13, 2020 Angela Terez, Angela.Terez@jfs.ohio.gov
(614) 728-9656
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program Available
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohioans can now apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA),
a new federal program that covers many more categories of workers than the traditional
unemployment program, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced
today. Those who believe they may be eligible should visit pua.unemployment.ohio.gov and
click the button that says “Click Here to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment
Assistance.” Individuals who pre-registered for the program received an email earlier this week
with instructions for how to complete their applications.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we diligently worked to build this new system in record
time for the agency,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “We encourage anyone who believes
they may be eligible to apply. Even after you return to work, you still may be eligible to receive
retroactive benefits, dating from as early as February 2.”
PUA was made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27. The program offers up to 39 weeks of
benefits to many who traditionally have not qualified for unemployment benefits, including self-
employed individuals, 1099 tax filers and part-time workers. The benefit amount is similar to
traditional unemployment payments, plus an additional $600 per week through July 25.
Many who were denied regular unemployment benefits may be eligible for PUA. Those who
have pending unemployment claims may apply before they receive a determination, and
individuals who have exhausted traditional unemployment benefits and any available extensions
also may be eligible. The program is effective through December 31. There is no minimum
income requirement. To be eligible, individuals must NOT be eligible for regular unemployment
benefits and must meet one of the following circumstances:
• The individual has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or is experiencing symptoms and is
seeking medical diagnosis.
• A member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• The individual is providing care for a family member or member of the household who
has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• A child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving
responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility is closed as a direct result of
the COVID-19 emergency, and the school or care is required for the individual to work.
• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine
imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because a healthcare
professional has advised him or her to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns.
• The individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is
unable to reach the job as a direct result of COVID-19.
• The individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the
head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19.
• The individual has quit his/her job as a direct result of COVID-19.
• The individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19.
Over the last seven weeks, ODJFS has received more than 1 million initial regular
unemployment claims, more than the previous three years combined. More than 89% of those
applications have been approved, and fewer than 11% are pending.
For more information, visit unemployment.ohio.gov/expandedeligibility.
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The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services manages vital programs that strengthen Ohio families.
These include job training and employment services, unemployment insurance, cash and food assistance,
child care, child and adult protective services, adoption, and child support services.
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