Courts rule DeWine must distribute $900 million in pandemic benefits to Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a decisive legal development, a Franklin County judge has ruled that Ohio must rejoin a federal pandemic relief program, potentially directing $900 million to residents who were cut off from supplemental unemployment benefits. Judge Michael Holbrook of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court mandated that Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) secure and distribute funds from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, which provides $300 weekly to qualified applicants.

This ruling came after a protracted legal battle spearheaded by Marc Dann, former Ohio Attorney General and founder of DannLaw. The lawsuit, filed in July 2021, argued that the DeWine administration’s decision to terminate participation in the FPUC program on June 26, 2021, not only deprived thousands of Ohioans of needed support during the COVID-19 pandemic but also violated state law.

Judge Holbrook’s order criticized the state’s premature exit from the program, emphasizing the severe economic and personal hardships imposed on residents by the pandemic. By reinstating the program, Holbrook noted, Ohio could significantly bolster local economies and generate substantial tax revenues through increased consumer spending.

The FPUC funds, once distributed, are expected to provide considerable financial relief to residents still grappling with the economic fallout of the pandemic. This comes as a critical support mechanism for many who have faced unemployment or reduced income during the global health crisis.

Governor DeWine’s office has not yet commented on the ruling, which could still face appeals, although previous decisions from the 10th District Court of Appeals have upheld similar challenges against the state’s actions.

This decision marks a significant victory for labor rights advocates and the economically disadvantaged in Ohio, setting a precedent for how pandemic relief efforts are managed and emphasizing the legal obligations of state governments to support their citizens during national emergencies.