CLEVELAND — More than 1.5 million Ohioans have filed for unemployment since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
That’s more than the total number of jobless claims in the state in the last three years combined, and the clock is ticking for thousands of other Ohioans, including Cleveland resident Jennifer OConnor.
“Just not having that money coming in and not knowing when, it’s like, well what am I going to do next month?” OConnor said.
OConnor has dedicated her life to working with students as a behavioral specialist but was laid off back on June 11 and filed for unemployment benefits through the State of Ohio the very next day.
“Being that it’s government, I know you have to really stay on top of them, so I was calling every week,” OConnor said. “Sometimes two, three times a week.”
Despite her efforts, she still has not received any financial assistance from the state.
“It’s just been...it’s been a nightmare,” OConnor said.
Late Thursday afternoon, ODJFS told News 5 they have processed about 94% of unemployment claims since March, but OConnor said she is unfortunately stuck in the 6% of unprocessed claims.
“And every time I called I got different answers,” OConnor said. “And one was, ‘Well we didn’t receive this document’ or ‘You’re a teacher so you must be working.’”
According to an ODJFS spokesperson, the remaining 6% of claims are considered complex claims for a number of reasons, and the state has hired more staff and expanded call center hours to keep up with the demand for service.
OConnor said aside from the financial stress, she’s embarrassed to now rely on family and friends for financial help.
“I’m smart. I’m intelligent,” OConnor said. “I have degrees and I can’t find anything, and to go from that status to where I am now is very humiliating.”
Because of our reporting, OConnor was contacted by ODJFS late Thursday afternoon and was told her claim is now being processed and she should expect to see her unemployment benefits in her bank account within the next few days.
