Ohio Unemployment
Reviews and Complaints

My weekly unemployment payment stopped abruptly, with a "pay held" on the current week's payment, June 24, 2023, because I did not complete a RESEA appointment within the timeframe, April 17, 2023 - May 21st, 2023. I did not receive anything by mail, or by phone, regarding this activity. The only way I was informed was through the website, which I have been locked out of since the day I applied for unemployment, on April 17, 2023. My OH/ID would not allow me to sign into my account at all so I had to call in weekly and file my weekly unemployment claims, I had no access to my online account through no fault of my own. Finally, on June 20th, 2023, after several attempts by Ohio Unemployment agents, the block on my account was repaired by agent 24004, and I could log in to my unemployment account. When I saw that I needed to make an appointment with RESEA, I did so immediately and completed it on June 26, 2023. However, my weekly unemployment compensation was "held" anyway, and I have absolutely no means financially to provide payment for rent, utilities, or my car payment. My car will be repossessed on Friday, June 30, 2023, because I have no income whatsoever to make my weekly car payment. How am I supposed to find employment with no vehicle? I have only been receiving unemployment for 8 weeks, and it has already been "held" through no fault of mine. When I answered the issue on the unemployment website, I explained this. However, they stopped my benefit anyway. Thank you for taking the time to hopefully repair this issue. I was told it would be 2 weeks before my unemployment benefit is released. I will be evicted by then, and my car will be gone.

Following a layoff in March, my unemployment claim was approved and weekly payments received. I've not been able to upload my resume or create a profile with OMJ, (a requirement by week 8) to continue to receive payments. When I attempt to complete this an error message appears: This cannot be linked, please contact Customer Service. I've been told by multiple representatives, due to a new system and technical issues this is a widespread/statewide problem. I've called everyday for several weeks and continue to hear, it is a system's error and they are working on it.

My approved weekly payments are being held until my resume/profile is uploaded to the OMJ system.

This policy needs to be put on-hold until the system is up and running, which will allow approved unemployment payments to be received by claimants and reduce the volume to calls to OMJ Customer Service.

Who has the authority to review this issue and take appropriate action?

Governor Dewine? Perhaps the news media can assist in shedding light on this widespread issue and the overall management of the Ohio Means Jobs, Unemployment Division.

Was laid off 4/13. Tried to file unemployment but my name was different oh my unemployment file from 2020 than it is on my OHID page due to divorce. I can't log in to unemployment unless the names match. I can't change the name on unemployment so I change the name on OHID. Now they can't verify my identity on OHID, so I try and call the number. No answer other than "do it online." I go to my local office and get "call the number." It's been 3 WEEKS OF THIS. I'm soon to be no longer eligible because I've "waited too long" since my termination date, and now my account is locked for attempting to verify my identity too many times. Ohio unemployment is a scam designed to be circular and not pay its people what they're owed.

I have been trying to receive unemployment pay since I was unreasonably let go from my position on 11/11/2022. I have applied three different times and have been rejected each time for a reason that has yet to be adequately explained to me. Today on 4/25/2023 was the first time I was able to actually speak to a real person about the issue, through an appeal case hearing. All I was told is that I made an appeal on the wrong case and there was nothing that could be done at that time. Unemployment pay is known to be given to people not even trying to find work, yet I was given a one-day notice of termination, have tried consistently, and still cannot find a way to be approved for any assistance.

My unemployment claim has been approved, I’ve turned in all required information as well as filed my weeks timely. Payments being held for reason the law states cannot be held. I’m a single father of 4 and ive had no income since refusal of my return to work August of 2022. I have 30 weeks of unemployment on hold. I’ve been told it would be released and then another issue, that dont qualify to hold payment.

Back during COVID had filed for unemployment when the government had made exceptions for those who were self-employed. My business had to close due to COVID; at that time, only essential mail was being sent or received. This caused my business to close because shipping and receiving were at the core of my e-commerce retail business. Submitted all documents, including contracts and more, to unemployment. Had passed the verification and gotten a decision for approval. Though I never received a dime. I called the customer service line, and it was the reason that the paperwork was missing. Showed approval letters and more showing they had received all items, though they were mysteriously missing. I requested hearings, though I still have not received a callback. A hold was placed that no one could say who or why it was there and what needed fixing. These are just a few of the "issues" with this specific instance. My husband has been waiting over 28 days, and his case shows familiar signs with the "handling/processing" of his claim. This agency needs an investigation done from top-level position to bottom as there is so much corruption, discrimination, and unbusinesslike actions being done in the ODJFS and all of its attached departments. I have been called names and accused of lying by some of their "supervisory positioned employees" when showing proof statements Oh, not that paperwork and more.

Please help...I originally filed for unemployment back in aug 2022 when i became unemployed. I was denied because of a date issue. Then i reapplied in dec 2022, and was allowed. However i could not file any claims. So in jan 2023 i reached out to the department and they filed my 1st break through claim. Told me to call back a week later to file the rest. So i called back filed two more , all were denied. I called again the following week and the agent filed a notic to correct some error in my file , and took all my claims from back in dec 2022 over the phone. All of those claims were also denied. I called the following week and was put through to the processing department and had to schedule an appointment. Which put me out another week. The processong department, called me at the appointed time, took my info and said i have to wait for the benefit control department to call me back, that was a week ago now. I have been with out a job since aug, and no unemployment money.

I called the Redetermination and Appeal's section at phone number [protected], pressed 2 and an agent there had the nerve to pick up the phone and ALL I heard in the background was a loud crying baby and the agent said absolutely NOTHING throughout the call which lasted for 5 minutes UNTIL the agent (NOT me) hung up. I must have shouted "HELLO" at least 10 times or more and all they did was ignore me while they sat there with a crying baby.

I have been reporting fraud claims due to identity theft and transfer of benefits to Ohio unemployment for 2 years, every time i call they say they will call back or look into it. it's been a run around and I'm being affected so much by this. I have no idea what else i could do about this issue, i call all the time and even the agents say they don't understand why it's not being taken care of. I am affected by identify theft and I'm getting no help. I have my email verifications to prove that I've done all i can on my part and as confused as i am i wish you guys would help me out. IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS and i still have not received the help I deserve!

I have my records of reporting this fraud because they send a confirmation that its received but they never reach back out to resolve this matter. Now, apart from the suffering of identity theft and fraud i am also going to suffer from an offset of my taxes!

I filed for unemployment after being laid off from my job. I provided ALL of the necessary paperwork, and it has taken almost 3 weeks to approve my unemployment. I still have no approval from them. You cannot get a person on the phone, and they ask you to take a customer service survey when they don’t answer your call. It shouldn’t take 3 weeks to approve a permanent layoff when all of the paperwork has been provided.

Ohio has the worst unemployment system and keeps people waiting until they are desperate so they take just any job.
How terrible the system and the people working for it are. Shame on you, Ohio.

I am now in my fifth week of filing weekly claims. I have not received any payments. I have also called multiple times and "chatted" multiple times. I am told it has to process. I have rent and bills to pay and five weeks is long enough to process. Please, please can someone approve so I am not evicted? They only allow 14 days before they file evictions in the court.

Penny Payne

[protected]

SSN 6804

6769 Ed Lane

Canal Winchester, Ohio

43110

5/16/1967

I have been waiting almost 6 week since I filed my unemployment insurance claim and still received no compensation benefits. How is a person supposed to survive with no income for almost 6 weeks. I have called into the office of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services but have received no answer on when I might receive my unemployment compensation. This is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable! Please have someone in management contact me to discuss this issue in further details. [protected] thanks Scott W

Ohio Unemployment determined that i was overpaid due to the fact that i didn't complete a career assessment assignment during a time when i was under the care of a Dr. for being very sick. I then provided all the documentation with enough proof of why i didn't complete the assignment and even asked them to advise me on how to become current to make up for the assignment i missed.

Ohio unemployment then determined that i owe them $3006.00. All of this was of course NON FRAUDULENT on my end. My only crime was getting laid off and having what little money that is Owed to me taken away. This should be criminal based on the fact that my employer pays into unemployment for this very reason, not a criminal government who controls the money.

My first encounters with ODJFS was back in 2020 during that mass lay offs. I was laid off from my job for 45 days and had to constantly call ODJFS to acquire the benefits in which I paid for via taxes. I did end up receiving my benefits and if my memory serves me right it was during the week I was to return to work. I had to write them a letter a week for half the time I was initially laid off to recieve my benefits. I can understand the hype and confusion in 2020, but sitting here today I must add that this process has not improved and if anything I feel as if it has deteriorated.

With that said I would like to first focus on the most imperative aspect for filing unemployment in the state of Ohio and that would be the ODJFS website. It is severely outdated and bugged. It is poorly designed and not at all readily equipped to handle the work load intended for it. I have brought this matter through a personal Email I have sent to DeWine through his website, but I have yet to receive a response or see any improvements.

Furthermore, aside from the ODJFS website, I believe their call center is understaffed seeing as on average I have spent two hours at a time to reach them and many others I have spoke to who have been through this have had the same to say. Though the staff does almost one hundred percent of the time seem lively, willing, and able. I have constantly run into the issue of not receiving benefits, because the apparent problem I called to fix was not fixed or was not relayed properly.

Lastly, I would like to conclude that due to this apparent understaffing of the Unemployment office, they are unable to process applications in a timely manner and often leave those who are in desperate need of their benefits, deficit. This must change and soon. Across Ohio to all the employees who have been laid off we all know that this strikes a heavy burden to the families of these men and women as well as the individuals themselves who find that their basic needs cannot be met by the very representatives they entrusted to meet them. How much longer must Ohio be impoverished by its representatives who sit lavishly, laughing as we struggle to find a way to survive in the very economy they have left behind ravaged by their own actions? We must to the very least be allowed to access the benefits we are allowed through the taxes we are forced to pay.

For some reason unknown the system repeatedly keeps making me verify my identity requesting I send the exact same documents each time which I have done on numerous occasions which delays my payment which has caused me hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees and anyone on unemployment you’re already struggling on what little compensation you are given I can’t afford this and now just this week it happened again and on top of this it says I didn’t complete an assessment on ohio jobs which I did but apperently it wasn’t the correct one I spent weeks completing the wrong assessment with many tasks and tests only to find out the correct one only took about 10 minutes to complete! Now the unemployment agent I spoke with couldn’t even find this assessment and ohio means jobs guided me to another wrong assessment which after the status of my claim didn’t change I discovered the mistake on my own and completed the correct one finally! My payment should have been paid yesterday and as of now I’m being told I will get a decision in 24 hours which means a payment if I receive one at all is 48 hours away and the oberdraft fees are growing by the day it will take my next 2 payments to get my account back to zero and this was not my fault I’ve complied with every single thing I’ve been asked to do how can they just hold my payments knowing this is you’re only source of income I’m I’ll right now wondering how I will make it thru the next 2 weeks without a single dollar I’m my account and nothing is being done to fix it no reimbursement for the overdraft fees absolutely nothing!

the first week i filed i had a family emergency and had to go to KY. I was only there for one week. I came right back home and started looking for work. [protected]-1 Claim # [protected] i have been looking for work sense i have been unemployed. i talked to a Lady named Amy 7586 . she gave me these #. I'm curtis e potter last 4 ss# is 3756. please respond. I have tried all day to fax all this and cant get through. im not sure if this is where i should be writting this but cant get any anwers

My husband has called numerous times for his unemployment. Each time the wait is long and they are requesting/stating they didn’t receive a document. The wait times are long the person treats him like he is not who he says he is they tried to say he started his job in September when he started in May. Now we have to submit all the same forms with two other additional forms again. To be continued…

On 11/29/2022, I waited 45 minutes to be connected to a rep. Around 9:50 am, I was connected to rep #9490. I have been waiting on pandemic unemployment benefits for two years and my situation is extremely complicated. The representative refused to write full details of my case because I asked her to repeat what she wrote. When she did, she still didn't include proper information. I asked her to read it again because she put the issue number in place of the correspondence number. She refused. I asked for her ID number again she did not give it to me. She also said she had no access to my account so she couldn't see any notes. I know that's a lie because another rep was able to look at my information especially since I pressed 0 option for pandemic unemployment.

Rep #9490 disconnected the line on me without sending my request.

I was unable to file my required weekly work search activity due to being locked out of my account after having to change my phone number. I was told there would be a substantial wait (3-4 weeks or more) until their IT department would get around to my issue and that I would have to do my weekly reports over the phone in the interim. I was willing to do this, however every attempt I made to report over the phone ended with the automated system hanging up on me without giving me the option to report or even speak to an agent. I would enter my personal identifying information, the system would sent me to another automated message. The only function this automated message provided was to inform me how long my claim had been pending and then hang up on me. As a result my initial claim was denied for "not being filed within the time limits". I am currently in the process of appealing, but the situation was formally explained to them when I finally got my online account access back and was able to see the request for information in my messages. Claim was still denied after multiple good faith attempts to comply on my part.

I filed 07/21/2022 when I was wrongfully punished and fired for speaking up about discrimination. I was having a hard time understanding the website for unemployment at first the people I’ve talked to didn’t help at all just confused me making things even harder. They have declined my unemployment benefits even after I filed a appeal. Their supposed to follow the law and help with benefits when needed I have proof of discrimination from the owner and management yet there still not helping. It’s been 2 months since I’ve worked they keep dragging out the process and denying my claims! Jumping through all these hoops just to get declined Human Resources wouldn’t help me now the law won’t!