Governor DeWine issued an Executive Order that provides more flexibility under the Ohio unemployment benefits laws during the state of emergency caused by COVID-19. Unemployment benefits are now available to employees who are unable to work because they are isolated or quarantined and to those who are laid off due to a loss of production caused by COVID-19.
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services published a Q&A resource guide informing Ohioans of unemployment insurance benefits and how to apply. Please click here to read the complete release.
Click here for the form employers should provide employees who are laid off due COVID-19.
TOP THINGS TO KNOW:
- Unemployment benefits will be available for eligible individuals who are requested by a medical professional, local health authority or employer to be isolated or quarantined as a consequence of COVID-19, even if the employee is not diagnosed with COVID-19.
- In most cases, an employee who is asymptomatic and imposes a self-quarantine, not at the request of a healthcare provider, will NOT be eligible for unemployment.
- The Executive Order waives the one-week waiting period for employees who are eligible for unemployment under the new standards.
- Employees laid off due to a lack of work caused by COVID-19 will be eligible for unemployment benefits.
- During the declared emergency, the charging requirements for a contributory employer will be mutualized. The charging requirements for a reimbursing employer will remain the same.
- ODJFS will waive penalties for late reporting and payments during the emergency.
If you have any employment and labor questions, please contact Susan Rodgers at srodgers@bdlaw.com, Jerry Chattman at gchattman@bdblaw.com, or Katie Duffy at kduffy@bdblaw.com.
