CLEVELAND — More than 187,000 people filed unemployment claims during the week of March 15 through Saturday, March 21, compared to the 7,042 people who filed the previous week, according to a release from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
This weekly total is just below the all-time monthly high for jobless claims, which was recorded for the month of December 1981 at 205,159.
The top five monthly claims recording during the heat of the early 1980s recession are:
- 205,159 – December 1981
- 167,638 – December 1982
- 166,907 – November 1982
- 164,962 – January 1982
- 164,293 – January 1983
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said during previous downturns in the economy, claims came in waves as the recession worsened and industries overseas shut down.
The department said the amount of claims in this short of time has caused problems for the 16-year-old online portal where citizens file for the benefits.
"We have been working around the clock to streamline performance and boost capacity by adding servers so the online claims system can handle the unprecedented influx of claims, which has affected processing times," Job and family services said in a news release.
The state urges individuals to file their claims online, if possible, here.
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