COLUMBUS – A record number of Ohioans filed their first unemployment compensation claims during the final week of March, straining a system that was already overloaded as businesses grapple with effects of the coronavirus pandemic and fueling fears of a widespread economic downturn.
Find general information on unemployment benefits here.
Find coronavirus-specific Information here.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reports more than 272,000 jobless claims were filed for the week ending March 28, a second straight week of record numbers. The state has received more than 468,000 claims in the past two weeks, or over 100,000 more than for all of 2019.
Ohio has paid out $45 million so far to more than 108,000 claimants.
A record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits, double those of last week’s previous record high, meaning 10 million people have lost their jobs over two weeks because of the virus outbreak and also almost certainly signal the onset of a severe global recession.
The ODJFS urges individuals to file their claims online but claimants have been frustrated by a website that is often maddeningly slow.
Department officials say their staff and contractors working to streamline performance and boost capacity by adding servers so the online claims system can handle the unprecedented influx. The system now has 20 times its capacity during normal times. The agency has also have reassigned more than 300 employees to assist with volume at its call center.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted on Thursday announced that the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation has developed a website specifically geared toward matching essential businesses, such as grocery stores, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, delivery companies, with those looking for work.
The Franklin County COVID-19 Response PRC Program provides eligible families with $500 in one-time cash assistance through a special allocation of state funds.
To qualify, families must reside in Franklin County, have at least one minor child and/or a pregnant woman in the household; and a gross household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $3,620 a month for a family of three.
The financial assistance can only be used for eligible expenses outlined under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which excludes food and medical care.
Ohio’s congressional delegation have called on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to approve the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ request to operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program, which would will allow foodbanks throughout Ohio to distribute more food and reduce verification requirements.
Many food banks reported a 50 percent increase in clients, roughly two-thirds of which were using emergency food services for the first time.
The ODJFS application estimates that 1.25 million Ohioans – 10.7 percent of the state’s population – will be served at food banks by April 30th.
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Meanwhile, Attorney General Dave Yost ordered Ohio’s police officer training academy to speed up the final examinations of about 300 cadets to allow them to hit the streets faster.
Yost announced that he is also working with local agencies to create a pathway for recently retired officers to complete required training to be compliant with the academy’s certification standards so they can return to duty.
“This pandemic is stretching the thin blue line even thinner. Now more than ever, we need all hands on deck,” he said.
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The Greater Columbus Arts Council board of trustees voted today to cancel the 2020 Columbus Arts Festival out of an interest for public health and safety in light of the pandemic.
“While we are heartbroken about this decision, we feel it was essential that we do our part to curb the coronavirus’ spread,” festival director Sean Kessler said.
Artists and vendors who were selected to participate in the 2020 festival will have their fees refunded, and all accepted artists will be automatically juried in to the 2021 festival, the council said.