First-Time Unemployment Claims Climb In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Nearly 19,000 Ohioans filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

During last week, 18,639 Ohioans filed for first-time unemployment benefits, WHIO reported. That's up from the week before when 17,944 Ohioans filed for first-time unemployment benefits.

"The total number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last 28 weeks (1,733,734) was more than the combined total of those filed during the last four years," the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services said in a news release.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ohio has distributed $6.8 billion in unemployment benefits. More than 800,000 Ohioans have received some form of unemployment insurance from the state, and more than 1 million Ohioans have applied for unemployment benefits.

The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services said approximately 6 percent of unemployment claims are still pending.

The state's layoff warning system shows two companies have filed paperwork to proceed with mass layoffs or furloughs this week in Ohio.