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Unemployment benefits set to decrease
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Ohioans who have been unemployed for more than a year will face decreased benefits next month, thanks to dropping jobless rolls in the state.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced Wednesday that state and extended unemployment compensation will be capped at 63 weeks in September, down from 73 over the past few months and 99 weeks before April.
The move was triggered when the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.2 percent in July from a high of 10.6 percent in 2009.
Jobless workers can receive up to half of their previous wages, though there are caps, with totals based on the number of dependents claimed.
The average weekly compensation is about $300, according to Ben Johnson, ODJFS spokesman.
Eligible Ohioans receive 26 weeks of payments from the state, and those still unable to secure employment afterward have received additional payments via the federal extended unemployment compensation program.
More than 83,700 Ohioans received regular state unemployment checks last week, while another 54,000-plus received the federal extended benefits. The latter will be affected by Wednesday’s announcement, with those who have received 63 weeks of compensation no longer eligible for additional payments.
Additionally, barring federal action, the extended compensation program is slated to end in late December, meaning unemployed Ohioans will be eligible for a maximum of 26 weeks of state compensation thereafter.
Unemployment rates pinpoint the number of jobless Ohioans who are collecting state or federal assistance and is not a count of the actual number of unemployed residents, Johnson said.
Ohioans with questions about the changes can contact the state agency at 877-644-6562.