COLUMBUS, Ohio — With many Ohioans without employment due closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lt. Governor Jon Husted assured the state that they are working their hardest to provide unemployment benefits for those affected and find new essential job opportunities for those looking for work.
In the past two weeks, 468,414 people have been added to the state’s unemployment rolls due to COVID-19—that's over 100,000 more people than in all of 2019, Husted said.
To keep up with the unemployment claims, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services director Kim Hall has added 300 new employees as of Thursday and expects to add 1,000 more by the end of next week, according to Husted.
In addition to working to quickly sort through the unemployment claims, Husted and his team have created a website for those looking for work to find employment in businesses deemed essential and still in operation.
Personal protective equipment manufacturers, pharmacies, grocery stores, nursing homes and hospitals are among those businesses encouraged to post available jobs to the website, that can be then accessed by potential employees.
Those who are not high-risk for COVID-19 and are not employed due to the current climate are encouraged to apply to these jobs.
“We encourage you to go online and get one of these jobs, even if it’s just part-time,” Husted said. They really need you to help out in this time of need. It is just critical that the few who can work, step in and do so for many who need you.”
To find or post a job, click here.
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