New unemployment, food benefits available

COLUMBUS – Thousands of Ohioans idled by statewide shutdowns during the coronavirus outbreak, who would otherwise be ineligible for unemployment benefits, can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

A result of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act which was signed into law on March 27, the program offers up to 39 weeks of benefits to many who traditionally have not qualified for unemployment benefits, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced Wednesday.

Those who believe they may be eligible should go to the PUA page on the agency’s website  and click the button that says “Click Here to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”

The program provides benefits for thousands of self-employed individuals, 1099 tax filers and part-time workers.

The benefit amount is similar to traditional unemployment payments, plus an additional $600 per week through July 25.

Workers who pre-registered for the program received an email earlier this week with instructions for how to complete their applications.

Governor Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that the department received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its pandemic electronic benefit transfer plan, which was included in the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020.

The approval will allow the agency to distribute more than $250 million in food-stamp benefits to 850,000 students who relied on free or reduced-price meal programs when school was in session.

The $300 for each family will be mailed directly to students so the families can purchase food items. Families do not need to apply to be eligible, DeWine said.

-0-

Gambling revenue at Ohio’s four casinos and seven racinos is down about $229 million for the first four months of 2020 when compared to the same quarter last year.

That’s according to figures reported by the state’s lottery and casino control commissions.

The industry has started the year with a roar, setting monthly records in January and February.

But things changed when the sites across the state were shuttered March 14 as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The industry has taken in $410.8 million on gambling this year after paying out winnings. But that’s down from the $640.1 million recorded in 2019.

DeWine says a working group is still finalizing a plan for opening the state’s casinos and racinos as part of the phased-in retarting of the economy.