CLEVELAND — The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services issued an update for individuals who have attempted to apply for unemployment amid the business closures across the state caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to a massive influx of unemployment claims on the website, the processing times have been affected, ODJFS said.
Those who have already applied and received a confirmation number will have their claim processed as soon as possible, ODJFS said.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 139,468 unemployment claims were filed from Sunday, March 15 through Thursday, March 19. That was up from 4,815 claims during the same time period the previous week.
In a release from ODJFS Friday morning that included the latest jobless claim statistics, the department urged people to file claims online by clicking online.
Those without computer access should call 1-877-644-6562 (OHIO-JOB).
ODJFS has extended its call center hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, for those without internet access or people with case-specific questions.
ODJFS also noted that workers who lose their jobs as a result of COVID-19 precautions and closures can enter the mass-layoff number 2000180 on their applications, adding, "However, if affected individuals have already submitted claims without this number, they do not need to add it."
We have received a record number of applications and we are working as fast as we can to help you. #InThisTogetherOhio #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4A68RSn6bl
— OhioJFS (@OhioJFS) March 22, 2020
To learn more about filing for unemployment, click here.
