Filing for Unemployment in Ohio: Quick Tips and Step-By-Step Guide When to Apply Apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you become unemployed. Relaxed eligibility rules due to COVID-19 allow eligible Ohioans to be paid for their first week of benefits without the traditional one-week waiting period. Your claim will become effective the Sunday after your application is filed, with your first check arriving in seven to 10 days from the time of application. Applying online will help expedite this process. How to Qualify If applying before April 5, 2020, you must have worked at least 20 weeks between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019. After April 5, 2020, the qualifying period begins January 1, 2019 and ends December 31, 2019. Additionally, you must have had an average weekly wage (before taxes or other deductions) of at least $269 during your 20 weeks of employment. For additional eligibility information go to: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm. Apply Online Applying online is the quickest way to start receiving unemployment benefits. To apply online, go to unemployment.ohio.gov and follow the steps listed in the “Step-By-Step Guide” section below. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can apply by phone by calling 877-644-656. Staff is available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Helpful Tips for Expedited Enrollment  When asked how you would like to receive correspondence, we encourage you to list an email address rather than selecting mail. Email ensures timely customer service, real-time PIN reset assistance and will expedite your benefit application.  Be sure to list your separating employer, but do not spend time adding prior employment. This will expedite your benefit application and will not affect your eligibility.  If you have lost your job as a direct or indirect result of the coronavirus, enter the Mass-Layoff/Buyout Identification Number 2000180 on your application. However, if you’ve already submitted your application without this number, you do not need to add it. It will not affect your eligibility. What Information is Needed Be prepared to provide the following information when you file a new application:  Your Social Security number and your driver’s license (or state ID) number.  Your name, address, telephone number and email address.  The name, address, telephone number and dates of work for any additional employers with whom you worked during your last six weeks of work.  Names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of any dependents, to include children and your spouse.  Alien Registration Number and expiration date of your work authorization.  Payment preference (if direct deposit is preferred, you will need your bank routing number and account number). Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Online 1. Gather your personal information as detailed in the Quick Tips section above. 2. Go to unemployment.ohio.gov. 3. Click “File/Appeal Benefits” in the green box on the left. 4. Read the “Release of Information” message that appears and click “I agree.” 5. Under “Claimant Login,” use either your existing login information or create an account. 6. Assuming you’re creating a new account, fill out the claimant registration boxes, steps one and two. Write down the temporary PIN number you’ll be given. 7. Click on “login screen” and follow the directions, using your Social Security number as your username and entering your temporary PIN. Click “log in.” 8. At the next screen, create a new PIN number and write it down. Confirm your new PIN and click “Submit.” 9. On the next page, click “File New Claim.” It will take you to a personal information page. Fill in your information. Click “Next.” 10. Fill out the requested demographic information on the next page and click “Next.” 11. You’ll be asked some eligibility questions that you also will need to complete. Use the help features and videos to answer any questions you may have about filling out the information. Note that you will need to answer “Yes” to the question about withholding 10% of your payments for federal tax purposes. If you choose to claim a dependent, you will be taken to a page where you can do that. 12. The next series of pages will ask you additional eligibility questions, including details about any pension or severance payments you are receiving, out-of-state employment and whether you were a part of a mass layoff. Note: If you have lost your job as a direct or indirect result of the coronavirus, enter the MassLayoff/Buyout Identification Number, 2000180. Then select “No” on the next questions. This will expedite your benefit application and will not affect your eligibility. If you’ve already submitted your application without this number, you do not need to add it. 13. You will need to check the box for “Job Matching,” though the extent to which job matching will be possible during the pandemic is unknown. 14. Under the “job match,” you will be asked to choose two occupations in which you’d like to work. You will be asked for a code for each. To look up the codes, you can type the occupation titles into a box and choose the most appropriate code that pops up for each. 15. Continue on to a page that asks for your experience and specific skills. Fill in the boxes and click “Next.” 16. You’ll then be told about two “Getting Paid” options. You have the choice of either a debit card or direct deposit to a bank account. No matter what your choice is, click “Next.” 17. The next page will allow you to enter the information needed to be paid either through the debit card or bank account options. 18. The last page will ask you to certify that all the information you entered is accurate. If it is, click “Agree” to submit. What Next?  After filing, you will receive further information by mail or email. An email will be sent from OJI@odjfs.state.oh.us.  Your claim will be assigned to a Processing Center, based on the last four digits of your Social Security number. Click here for a list of Processing Centers by Social Security number.  In order to be paid, you must file weekly claims for each week that you are unemployed or make less than your weekly benefit amount. - Log in to your account at unemployment.ohio.gov to file weekly claims. - If you are prompted to enter work‐search activities, enter “COVID‐19” as you are not required to be actively seeking employment during the pandemic. - If you receive a message that you are unable to file a weekly claim until Sunday, that is because you cannot claim a week of benefits until the week has ended on Saturday at midnight.