Ohio Office of Unemployment Compensation Customer Service Issues

I have been determined ineligible for state UI benefits in Ohio, which should allow me to apply for PUA benefits in a separate system. The PUA system is not letting me apply because it shows I am eligible for state benefits. How can I get the state UI technical team to release my Social Security number so I can apply for PUA? I followed instructions and emailed PUA Technical Services at jfs.com, but I have been waiting since early June. It has been since May 1st since I was denied state benefits, and since January 27th since I had any income. I am at risk of losing everything.

Last Sunday, I finally got my password fixed with the help of Blake from the technical team. He assisted me in filling out my application with a start date of 3/22/20. After speaking to the virtual assistant who provided me a number, Blake advised me to check on my determination on Monday. Everything got approved as expected, and Reagan took care of starting my claim and completing my application promptly within 2 weeks. Although he couldn't backtrack to March due to limitations, Reagan assured me I would receive back pay. He mentioned I am entitled to 2 weeks' pay of $[redacted] plus $[redacted]. I am reaching out for assistance in expediting this process as I am struggling with overdue bills. I am counting on the promised retroactive payment. Kindly contact me at [redacted]. Your help is greatly appreciated after waiting diligently since March. Thank you for being my angel in this situation.

After facing an issue with my benefits, I finally found a solution. I discovered that I was eligible for federal Extension and Extended Benefits before applying for PUA benefits. To resolve this, I contacted the Redetermination Unit at 1-[redacted], selecting Option #2. After being on hold for a total of 3.5 hours, a specialist helped me file my claim, and I received my direct deposit the following Tuesday. It was a challenging process, but persistence paid off. This method may only work if you were denied a new claim under the state agency. I am considering sharing a helpful guide on Facebook or here to assist others in similar situations.

Hello, I need assistance with my PUA unemployment claim issue. Despite receiving approval for the minimum weekly benefit amount and $[redacted] extra per week, I encountered problems with my claim for the dates 06/14/[redacted] to 6/21/[redacted]. Initially approved, I later received a denial claiming I applied outside the pandemic dates of 2/2/[redacted] - 7/31/[redacted], which is incorrect. I've unsuccessfully tried resolving this by contacting the PUA line and submitting an appeal. I seek guidance on who I can contact to address this issue and gain clarity on the situation.

Dear team, My name is TT, and I am requesting a re-issuance of the identity verification questionnaire. Despite claiming my weeks every week since 6/21/[redacted] and speaking with representatives who assured me everything looks good, I have yet to receive any benefits. With the impact of COVID-19 since my release from prison on February 14, [redacted], my only income source of being a health aid/cleaner has been affected. I am facing financial struggles, falling behind on rent and bills due to the delayed determination on my unemployment benefits. I appreciate the support of my friends during this difficult time. Please expedite the determination process as I believe I should have received my unemployment benefits by now. Thank you.

To whom it may concern, I had a couple of questions I was hoping you could help with. Around March 20th, I attempted to file for unemployment. Due to some difficulty using the computer, I initially tried calling for assistance for days with no luck. Eventually, I unknowingly provided personal information on a fake unemployment website. Recently, I discovered the legitimate site and believe my application was approved. However, as I started on a fraudulent site, I want to confirm that it's the real one. I am hoping you received all my details and can verify my approval. I am also inquiring if it's possible to backdate my unemployment. If you could reach out to me because I'm not tech-savvy, here is my phone number, [redacted]. If I don't hear from you, my daughter can assist me in a day or so. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Heather Williams Last four digits of my SSN: [redacted] Thank you again and have a blessed day. The office in question is PUA Unemployment.

I recently tried to submit my weekly benefits claim on the PUA platform, but encountered some issues. As I was filling in my information about my work hours and status, the system added additional sections asking for more details than necessary. Despite indicating that I work on an as-needed basis, the system would not provide me with a confirmation number. It then prompted me to provide information about my place of employment, which caused further complications. After selecting the relevant option, the system still did not allow me to submit my claim. It then requested additional details, including job start and separation dates, as well as space for extra information and contact details. This unexpected process has disrupted my claim for the week of October 4, [redacted] to October 10, [redacted]. I need assistance to rectify these errors promptly.

Hello, I am writing to address an issue with my unemployment pay being withheld for the past two weeks. I had declared earning $90 from Fullstaq Marketer in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 15, as part of my training for affiliate marketing. Although I had not received the income when I applied for unemployment on October 19, I disclosed that I had earned it. The following week, ending October 24, I did not earn any additional income, yet my payment was still held due to the previous week's earnings. I provided detailed information about the situation, including Fullstaq Marketer's contact details, when I received the notification about holding my payments. Despite my honesty in reporting my income, my payment for the week ending October 31 was also withheld. I am solely reliant on unemployment benefits and am being transparent about my earnings. If necessary, please deduct the $90 from my payments, but I kindly request the release of my two-week payment. I am earnestly working on developing skills to generate income amidst the challenges of the pandemic. The reference numbers for the weeks ending 10/24 and 10/31 are cc[redacted] and cc[redacted], respectively. I appreciate your attention to this matter. Thank you, C.L.

I made a mistake on one of my weekly certifications when it asked if I was let go for a non-COVID reason. I accidentally selected "yes" instead of "no." This occurred during the week of August 9th through the 15th. My name is Debbie R., and my ID is [redacted]5. The last four digits of my social security number are [redacted]. You can reach me at [redacted]. This is my only issue, and I would appreciate your assistance in correcting this error. I am grateful to the lady who helped me navigate this situation, as we are all facing challenges during these difficult times. Thank you for your support and I hope you can resolve this for me.

I was recently approved for unemployment benefits, but they have now been denied due to the impact of COVID-19 on the job market. Finding work has been challenging, especially given the health risks of contracting the virus and potentially endangering my girlfriend, who has existing medical conditions including a brain tumor, asthma, and high blood pressure. As a self-employed individual in Warren, OH, it has been difficult to secure employment during this uncertain time. I am falling behind on rent and utility bills and seeking assistance during this tough period. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I am seeking to appeal the denial of my unemployment benefits in Warren, Ohio, due to challenges finding work during the pandemic. Living with my girlfriend, who has health issues including a brain tumor, conversion disorder, high blood pressure, and asthma, makes me hesitant to risk exposure by working around others. As a result, I am behind on rent and utilities, feeling lost after receiving conflicting information about my claim status. Despite being initially told my funds were approved and ready for me, subsequent calls revealed discrepancies in the amount and eligibility of my benefits, culminating in a recent denial. Since I've been caregiving after my girlfriend's COVID-19 diagnosis, I had to forgo a job interview during quarantine, resulting in the position being filled. Struggling financially with minimal savings, I urge a reevaluation of my case for much-needed support.

I have had multiple claims denied. I have been unemployed since July 15th, except for a short consultant job that I didn't claim. I have been submitting claims weekly since November 14th, meeting the job search criteria, yet each time it comes back as "denied." I see others who haven't attempted to return to work continuing to receive benefits. It feels unfair that because I tried to work, I now can't afford rent or groceries.

I recently found out that I have been overpaid by the company and now I am being asked to repay $[redacted]. The company had confirmed the payment and provided me with a layoff number to collect unemployment. However, I only received a message about this last month when I had already returned to work and wasn't relying on unemployment benefits. The only time I received any payment for this situation was during the mass layoff where I provided the necessary information. I have payment statements to show that I followed the company's instructions during the layoff period, and I have not received any additional funds since then.

Hello, my name is Jason. I made a mistake on my application and tried to go back to fix it, but I ended up making things worse. I admit I am a slow learner and didn't understand the question about being separated. I wasn't separated from my job; it closed due to COVID-19. I've been out of work for a long time and even lost two aunts and two uncles to this virus. Can you please assist me in fixing my application? I need help with it urgently. I'm also having trouble uploading my identification card through the tax form sheet. Please help me with this issue as I struggle with reading and spelling. Thank you and may God bless you. - Jason

I have submitted my identification card and birth certificate for verification almost six weeks ago, but my application is still pending due to issues with proving my identity. I have been facing financial hardships as my work hours were reduced in August due to the pandemic, and I am currently unemployed. I have been actively looking for employment and even visited the Ohio Means Jobs website for assistance. Your help in speeding up the approval process would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I made a mistake while submitting my weekly claim for Ohio unemployment. I misunderstood a question about being discharged from my job and incorrectly answered yes. I realized my error immediately on the next page, clarified the situation, and even attached my severance letter. After numerous attempts, I finally spoke to a representative who said she would email the processing center, but she was unable to resolve it on the spot. It has been 2 days, and I am still waiting for a response. I am trying to reach someone else by phone, but haven't had any luck yet.

I am currently receiving payments for my recent weeks of unemployment through the Ohio system. However, I have not been compensated for the previous weeks when I was jobless, known as retroactive payments. Despite my attempts to claim benefits during that period, only one $[redacted] payment (possibly additional federal assistance) was made, with no other retroactive or state unemployment payments. This unusual situation has led to confusion as the system indicated my benefits were exhausted, prompting me to register for the additional 11 weeks of federal benefits. There seems to be a discrepancy due to a break in my claim that might be preventing me from receiving full compensation. I am keen on ensuring I receive the payments for all the weeks I was unemployed but couldn't claim due to system issues.

I have been collecting PUA unemployment benefits since May and recently discovered that I have been receiving more than I am entitled to. Despite my efforts to address this by contacting the relevant department, I was initially assured that everything was correct. However, I have now been alerted to an overpayment of $[redacted], and adjustments have been made to start recovering this amount by deducting half from my weekly payments. I noticed that there was no deduction made from the payment on 02/23/[redacted], which has left me concerned about the impact on my overpayment balance. Additionally, I am receiving $[redacted] in monthly Social Security retirement benefits. I have consistently disclosed this information while filing my weekly claims for unemployment benefits, but I am unsure if this will affect the amount I owe. I have not yet received any information regarding how to make payments towards this overpayment.

Hello, I am Gregory W Rooks Sr, the claimant with #[redacted]5. I am the sole proprietor of R Line Industrial LLC. I provided the State with my identity information after no response to my initial download. I submitted hard copies of my birth certificate, driver's license, business EIN number, business banking details, Disabled Veterans Card, Combat Veterans Card, and business purchases to prove my identity. I sent this information via mail to the PO Box provided by the State. It has been over 6 weeks, and I have not received any response or payments. My engineering consultancy business has suffered greatly during the COVID era, along with personal health setbacks requiring treatment in the VA hospital. I am seeking assistance to resolve this issue promptly. Sincerely, G.W.R. Sr.

Since April, I have been waiting for my unemployment benefits. I feel frustrated because when I try to follow up, they either deny my claim or make me wait indefinitely. I reported an unfair dismissal, provided evidence, but still haven't received a response. It's disappointing to see how irresponsibly they handle cases, especially during these challenging times. I am owed 10 weeks of benefits, and the lack of progress is causing financial strain. I used to work efficiently in a government position and know the importance of timely assistance. The ongoing bills are adding to the stress of this situation, and it's disheartening that customer service is unable to provide any helpful information.