Filing for Unemployment Benefits in Ohio:

Quick Tips and Step-By-Step Guide

retroactive to the date you became eligible.

How to Qualify

To be eligible for traditional unemployment benefits in Ohio, you must be totally or partially

unemployed through no fault of your own. In addition, you must have worked at least 20 weeks

in covered employment and earned at least $280 a week in the base period of your claim (four

out of the last five completed calendar quarters). If you had a prior unemployment claim that is

expired, you must have worked in covered employment since the beginning of the prior claim

year to reestablish yourself as a worker.

Apply Online

Applying online is the quickest way to start receiving unemployment benefits. To apply online,

Be prepared to provide the following information when you file a new application:

• Your Social Security number and driver’s license (or state ID) number.

• The Social Security numbers and dates of birth of any dependents, including children

and your spouse.

• The name, address, telephone number, and dates of employment for your most recent

employer and any other employers from the last 6 weeks.

• Bank routing and account number or debit card number for payment.

• Alien Registration Number and expiration date of your work authorization.

• If you had out-of-state employment, have worked for the federal government, or are

separated from military service, more information is required, including:

Additional Items Needed to Verify Your Identity

In addition, you will need to provide documents to verify your identity. Here are some examples:

• Photo Identification – Acceptable forms of photo ID include a copy of your passport, driver’s

license, state identification card, military identification, permanent resident card, or student

identification card.

• Full Legal Name – Acceptable documents to prove your full legal name include a copy of your

valid driver’s license, military identification, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate

of citizenship, U.S. passport, foreign passport with visa, or other official document. If your full legal

name is different from the one that appears on your documents, you must provide additional

documents – for example, a marriage certificate, court order name change, or decree of divorce,

citizenship, or other official document.

• Social Security Number – Acceptable documents to prove your Social Security number include

your Social Security card, W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) from the last complete tax year, 1099

form, or pay stub.

• Street Address – Acceptable documents to prove your street address include a bank statement,

pay stub, W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) from the last complete tax year, or 1099 form. If you

listed a post office box as your mailing address, you must submit proof of ownership, such as a

• Bank Account – Acceptable documents to prove that your bank account is legitimate include a

bank statement issued within the last 12 months or a copy of a voided check.

3. Click “I am an Unemployed Worker” in the center of the page and then click “Apply for

4. Read the “Release of Information” message that appears and click “I agree.”

5. Under “Claimant Login,” click “Register.”

6. Enter your Social Security number (SSN).

7. Enter your Social Security number again to confirm it and click “Register.”

8. You will be redirected to the OH|ID log-in page. An OH|ID is an online user account that

provides a secure, personalized experience for Ohioans to interact with multiple state

agencies, programs, and services, all with a single username and password. For more

information about OH|ID, click here

email address: DONOTREPLY-EnterpriseIdent[email protected].

(It may take several

minutes for you to receive this email. If it seems to be taking a long time, please

check your spam folder.)

Then click “Verify.”

.

9. If you are creating a new unemployment account, please fill out the claimant registration

boxes, labeled steps one and two.

NOTE: If you already have an account but have not yet created an OH|ID and do not

remember your PIN, enter your Social Security number. You will be prompted to call 1-

866-962-4064 for an automated attendant to help you reset your PIN.

10. Click on “Login Screen” and follow the directions, using your Social Security number as

your username. Enter your temporary PIN. Click “Login.”

11. Click “File a New Claim for Unemployment Benefits.” It will take you to a personal

features and videos to answer any questions you may have about filling out the

information. Note that you will need to answer the question about whether you would like

10% of your payments to be withheld for federal tax purposes. Additionally, if you

choose to claim a dependent, you will be taken to a page where you can do that. Click

“Next.”

14. You will be asked additional eligibility questions, including details about any pension or

severance payments you may be receiving, out-of-state employment, school enrollment,

and whether you are a member of a trade union. Answer them and click “Next.”

15. If you were provided a Mass-Layoff/Buyout Identification Number, select “Yes” and enter

the ID number.

16. The next page registers you for job matching. You will be asked to choose two

desired occupation by title or description. Once you find your first preference, click the

Search for your second preference. Once you find it, click the circle to the left of the

occupation and click “Occupation2” at the bottom of the page. Finally, click “OK” at the

account options and click “Next.”

19. The last page will ask you to certify that all the information you entered is accurate. If it

is, click “Agree” to submit.

What Next?

• After filing, you will receive further information by mail or email. An email will be sent

• Your claim will be assigned to a processing center, based on the last four digits of your

Social Security number. Click here for a list of processing centers by Social Security

number.