COLUMBUS, Ohio — While other states are ending pandemic unemployment ahead of the September cutoff, Ohio’s Republican Governor is not one of them.
Governor Mike DeWine announced Monday that his state will not join others like South Carolina and Montana in ending pandemic unemployment assistance early. Those two states announced last week they would be cutting off the programs effective next month, ahead of the planned September end date. The reasoning cited by both state governors was a claim of shortage in workforce workers and claims that employers could not find employees due to the “high” payouts being given to the unemployed.
While it’s true that companies claim they cannot find employees, there is no credible evidence to suggest that the reasoning is due to a federally-subsidized unemployment program, which gives displaced workers $300 a week, plus state benefits. Many experts say ending the program early will be catastrophic for those respective state economies.
DeWine, however, chose a different approach. He announced Monday that a “search for work” requirement would be implemented for those on unemployment. While South Carolina and Montana are cutting benefits entirely, Ohio’s Republican Governor chose to keep benefits flowing with the caveat.
Under DeWine’s new guidelines, beginning the week of May 23, Ohioans will be required to resume weekly work-search activities as part of future applications for unemployment payments.
“Now that Ohioans have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and can safely return to work, it only makes sense that we restore work-search requirements for everyone,” said Governor DeWine.
“Ohio business owners are creating jobs faster than people are returning to the workforce,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “Now that all Ohio adults have access to the vaccine, it’s time to return to the traditional work requirements.”
At the height of the pandemic from mid-March through Dec. 1, 2020, the federal government authorized states to waive work-search requirements. On Dec. 6, ODJFS resumed the work-search requirement for new unemployment claims, while exempting existing claims.
Allowable work-search activities include applying for a job, attending a resume-writing course, or creating and maintaining a reemployment plan on OhioMeansJobs.com. Under Ohio law, some individuals will be exempt from conducting work-search activities, including employees on a temporary layoff of 45 days or less, and individuals in approved training. Additionally, individuals will meet their weekly work-search requirement if they are members in good standing with a union hiring hall that refers its members to jobs. For those in approved school or training, their work-search requirement may be considered met if they are attending all classes and making satisfactory progress.
ODJFS will notify unemployed Ohioans impacted by this change directly, to allow plenty of time to understand the requirements and begin their process of weekly work-search activities.
Earlier this year, President Joe Biden signed a bill that extended pandemic unemployment until September, giving displaced workers a significant boost each week on their earnings.
