Changes to federal unemployment compensation programs
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Changes to Federal Unemployment Compensation Programs
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio’s declining unemployment rate has triggered a reduction to the amount of federal unemployment compensation residents can collect.
As Congress expanded and funded the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) programs during the recession, lawmakers made eligibility for some weeks of benefits contingent on a state’s unemployment rate. Because Ohio’s unemployment rate has dropped from 10.6 percent at the height of the recession to 7.7 percent in January 2012, the maximum number of weeks of unemployment compensation available is decreasing from 99 to 73. This decrease will take effect on April 7, 2012.
As a result of these changes:
EUC claimants who exhaust their Tier 3 benefits after April 7, 2012, will not be eligible for EUC Tier 4 benefits. Claimants already collecting Tier 4 benefits will be able to finish that tier.
The last payable week of EB will be the week ending April 7, 2012. Claimants currently collecting EB will not be able finish any remaining EB weeks.
If Ohio’s unemployment rate remains below 9 percent, the maximum number of weeks of unemployment compensation available is expected to decrease to 63 weeks in September 2012. Regardless of the unemployment rate, the federally funded EUC program is currently scheduled to end in December 2012.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services remains committed to assisting Ohioans who have exhausted all available unemployment compensation but have not yet found employment. Out-of-work Ohioans can access tens of thousands of job opportunities and post their résumé online at www.ohiomeansjobs.com. Anyone struggling to find work is also strongly encouraged to visit his or her nearest One-Stop Center for help with résumé development, career planning, job search skills and more. To find the One-Stop nearest you, call 1-877-US2JOBS.
In addition, www.ohioheretohelp.gov offers valuable resources for unemployed workers in Ohio, such as job search assistance and information about a wide variety of services related to money, food, housing and other topics. Ohioans can also apply for cash assistance, food assistance or Medicaid online at https://odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov.
Ohio’s declining unemployment rate has triggered a reduction to the amount of federal unemployment compensation residents can collect.
As Congress expanded and funded the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) programs during the recession, lawmakers made eligibility for some weeks of benefits contingent on a state’s unemployment rate.
Because Ohio’s unemployment rate has dropped from 10.6 percent at the height of the recession to 7.7 percent in January 2012, the maximum number of weeks of unemployment compensation available is decreasing from 99 to 73. This decrease will take effect on April 7, 2012.
As a result of these changes:
EUC claimants who exhaust their Tier 3 benefits after April 7, 2012, will not be eligible for EUC Tier 4 benefits. Claimants already collecting Tier 4 benefits will be able to finish that tier.
The last payable week of EB will be the week ending April 7, 2012. Claimants currently collecting EB will not be able finish any remaining EB weeks.
If Ohio’s unemployment rate remains below 9 percent, the maximum number of weeks of unemployment compensation available is expected to decrease to 63 weeks in September 2012. Regardless of the unemployment rate, the federally funded EUC program is currently scheduled to end in December 2012.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services remains committed to assisting Ohioans who have exhausted all available unemployment compensation but have not yet found employment. Out-of-work Ohioans can access tens of thousands of job opportunities and post their résumé online at www.ohiomeansjobs.com.
Anyone struggling to find work is also strongly encouraged to visit his or her nearest One-Stop Center for help with résumé development, career planning, job search skills and more. To find the One-Stop nearest you, call 1-877-US2JOBS.
In addition, www.ohioheretohelp.gov offers valuable resources for unemployed workers in Ohio, such as job search assistance and information about a wide variety of services related to money, food, housing and other topics. Ohioans can also apply for cash assistance, food assistance or Medicaid online at https://odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov.