State reinstating work-search requirements May 23

Starting May 23, Ohio will again require weekly worksearch activities for unemployment payments.

“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,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

From mid-March through Dec. 1 2020, the federal government authorized states to waive work-search requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Dec. 6, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services resumed work-search requirements for new unemployment claims, while exempting existing claims.

Allowable work-search activities include applying for a job, attending a resume-writing course, or creating and maintaining a reemployment plan on OhioMeansJobs.com, according to a news release from DeWine’s office.

Under Ohio law, some individuals will be exempt from conducting work-search activities, including employees on a temporary layoff of 45 days or less, and individuals in approved training. Additionally, individuals will meet their weekly worksearch requirement if they are members in good standing with a union hiring hall that refers its members to jobs.

For those in approved school or training, their work-search requirement may be considered met if they are attending all classes and making satisfactory progress.

The news release stated that the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services will notify unemployed Ohioans impacted by this change directly “to allow plenty of time to understand the requirements and begin their process of weekly work-search activities.”