COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine has reinstated the work-search requirements for Ohioans receiving unemployment benefits, effective May 23.
From that point on, recipients will be required to apply for work, attend resume-writing workshops or maintain an online reemployment plan, a press release from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said.
Federal officials allowed states to suspend the rule from mid-March through Dec. 1, 2020. State administrators resumed the work-search requirement on Dec. 6, but only for new unemployment claims.
“Now that Ohioans have had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and can safely return to work, it only makes sense that we restore work-search requirements for everyone,” DeWine said in the release.
Matt Damschroder, interim director of ODJFS, made the announcement on May 10.
“Ohio business owners are creating jobs faster than people are returning to the workforce,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted added in the release. “Now that all Ohio adults have access to the vaccine, it’s time to return to the traditional work requirements.”
Existing regulations will still exempt certain workers from having to meet the requirements. Workers in a temporary layoff (45 days or less) or those in approved training programs are still excused. Students in approved training programs must keep regular attendance and make satisfactory progress in their courses in order to qualify.
Members in good standing with a union hall that makes job referrals will also receive a waiver of the search requirement.
To allow adequate time to prepare for the changes, ODJFS will work with benefit recipients to transition to the new process.
