How to File for Unemployment Benefits in Ohio

If you have recently lost your job in Ohio, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. Benefits are paid out to unemployed workers who have logged enough time on their jobs to qualify and who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Even if you quit a job or are fired for some sort of cause, though, you may qualify under certain circumstances -- for example, if you quit due a change in your job conditions, or you were fired for reasons that did not involve criminal activity or willful negligence.

Instructions

1. File for unemployment with the Department of Jobs and Family Services as soon as you can after you are terminated. Your claim will begin the Sunday of the calendar week in which it is filed. Waiting to file your application will only delay your unemployment benefits.

2. Gather the following information before you file for unemployment benefits:

   • Your regular occupation and job skills
   • The reason you became unemployed from each employer
   • Your Social Security number and either your state ID number or driver's license number
   • Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
   • The name, address, telephone number and dates of your employment with each employer where you worked during the past six weeks of employment.
   • If you were employed out-of-state in the last 18 months, you will need to provide the name address, telephone number and dates of your employment for each out-of-state employer during that period
   • If you were separated from military service with any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces within the past 18 months, you will need your discharge papers (Form DD-214-member 4 copy)
   • If you were employed by the federal government within the past 18 months, you will need the SF-8 and/or SF-50 form given to you by your government employer at the time of your separation
   • Alien Registration Number and the expiration date of your work authorization if you are not a U.S. Citizen

3. File a new application for Ohio unemployment benefits in one of two ways or you can reopen an existing Ohio unemployment claim. File online through the link in the References section, or you can file toll free by phone at (877) OHIOJOB (644-6562) or TTY at [phone]. Phone hours are Monday and Tuesday, 8 am - 5 pm, Wednesday through Friday, 8 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm. You will need to have a paper and pencil available when you place the call and the information listed in Step 2.

4. If you are filing online, you will first need to register. Click on the "Create an Unemployment Claim" button in the References section.

   Agree to the terms on the site and follow the onscreen instructions.

5. Once you register, you will have a user name and personal identification number. Complete the unemployment application. It will take about 25 minutes. If you get disconnected or need to stop and finish the application later you can do so for up to 24 hours. Log in again with your user name and pin and finish completing the unemployment application. Your unemployment benefit application will not be technically filed until you get a confirmation number.

References

• Ohio.gov: Create an Unemployment Claim
• Ohio.gov: Office of Unemployment Compensation