With businesses temporarily closing and workers being asked to stay home during Ohio’s emergency declaration period for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, employees and employers may require resources for mass layoff procedures and short-term unemployment benefits.

• Information for employees to apply for unemployment insurance: unemployment.ohio.gov

An executive order issued by Governor DeWine expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio's emergency declaration period. 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 they are not actually diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition, the waiting period for eligible Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits will be waived.

If an employer lays off employees due to the loss of production caused by the COVID-19, the executive order issued by DeWine also expands flexibility for Ohioans to receive unemployment benefits during Ohio's emergency declaration period.

For more information on unemployment insurance and benefits, use this link for information from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

For employers considering layoffs or shutdowns as a result of COVID-19, ODJFS has asked for companies to share the following mass lay-off number with their employees to speed the processing of unemployment benefits: 2000180.

“This measure will expedite the processing of benefits for individuals who lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic and allow them to receive their first benefit payments as quickly as possible,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “We want to make sure all employers are aware of this number so that we can provide seamless service when processing claims.”

ODJFS also is providing instructions for employers to share with their employees about how to apply for benefits. With as much warning as possible, employers should advise employees to call utilities, lenders, etc., to let them know about the layoff.

Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.

Ohioans can apply for unemployment online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It also is possible to file by phone at (877) OHIO-JOB (1-877-644-6562) or TTY at (888) 642-8203, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.