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Recently, articles have been posted in Columbus news notating that the state’s system for giving unemployment benefits is being amended and some of those changes are important to note. Years ago, politicians determined a minimum figure around $2.8 billion in reserve funds were needed in case of an economic downturn. Those funds were never achieved, and an economic recession began to hit in 2007. Those funds are much below the threshold set years ago, and policy makers are having to redesign the system. What they need is more money for it. They are trying to achieve this by potentially making unemployment benefits less available to employees, taxing employers more for the benefit plan, and possibly taking out more federal loans for funding. This is obviously going to place a strain on both parties, and will take time to sort out. File for unemployment sooner rather than later, to avoid lapses in adequate coverage. Read below to make sure you are being covered as you should.
Unemployment Laws: What You Should Know
Will I be approved? Certain requirements need to be met to gain unemployment benefits. These include; a minimum amount of incurred wages in the earliest quarter the year before unemployment was filed, a reason for losing your job that is not your fault, and you must be available to work and applying for new jobs. Being fired can be covered if you are laid off for downsizing, or just let go for general reasons like not being a good fit for the company. Quitting can also be covered if you were being treated unjustly and a reasonable person would have done the same thing in your circumstance. For example, workplace discrimination or unfair practices. You must reach out to at least two employers a week to be considered actively looking for a new job.
How much money will I receive? In Ohio, the maximum amount is $424 a week, the minimum is $118 per week. The maximum amount of time you can receive unemployment is 26 weeks, unless in the case of severe economic turmoil.
What if I am not approved? You can appeal your case with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services within 21 days of your denial notice. The appeal will most likely then be sent to the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission. Rather than going through these loopholes, contact an attorney ahead of time to determine if you are eligible.
If you have lost a job through no fault of your own, file for unemployment soon, as benefits could lessen and become harder to get soon.
Contact Columbus based workers’ comp attorneys at Larrimer and Larrimer LLC to see if filing for unemployment is right for you.