Ohio slowly pays out extended unemployment checks

COLUMBUS (AP) — Some out-of-work Ohioans may be waiting until just before Christmas for extended unemployment benefits going to those whose payments have run out.

State officials say they moved quickly to get the money flowing after President Barack Obama signed the extension early last month, and some checks went out in late November. But the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says payments to the remaining recipients won’t begin until as late as Dec. 23.

Sara Hall Phillips, JFS chief policy adviser, says the process is taking time because a state computer system had to be reprogrammed for the extra benefits.

Meanwhile, a spokesman says the department’s call centers have been overwhelmed by people asking where their extended unemployment checks are.