COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state is asking Ohioans to change up the way they file their weekly unemployment claims.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Tuesday announced a new weekly claim filing process for people who have been approved to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning Sunday, April 26, individuals filing weekly claims should do so on the day of the week as follows, based on the first letter of their last name:
- Sunday: A through H
- Monday: I through P
- Tuesday: Q through Z
On Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, anyone can file a weekly claim.
In a news release, department officials indicated the purpose of the reorganization was an effort to streamline the process for a system that has been severely overworked since the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the state.
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"The new process will help relieve pressure on our system so that claims can be filed more easily and paid more quickly," said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall in the release. "Once a claim is processed, payment can be made by direct deposit within three business days."
An individual submitting their initial application for benefits can still do so any day of the week. The change only impacts those who are filing their weekly benefits claim.
Tuesday's announcement comes less than a week after Lt. Gov. John Husted announced several changes to the unemployment benefits procedures, including asking workers filing claims to use a "mass layoff number" of 2000180 to expedite the process of receiving unemployment aid.
