The Tenth District Court of Appeals recently determined that nearly $900 million in federal unemployment benefits, cut off early by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine during the COVID-19 pandemic, might indeed be restored. The court ruling clears the way for a Franklin County judge to order Ohio to request the reinstatement of these benefits. Initially, an additional $300 per week for unemployed Ohioans had been approved by Congress during the pandemic’s early months. Governor DeWine, however, halted this program 10 weeks before its scheduled ending in September 2021. This move forfeited approximately $900 million in benefits. Unemployed Ohioans subsequently launched a lawsuit claiming that Governor DeWine did not have the jurisdiction to terminate these benefits prematurely.

Despite the Ohio Supreme Court ruling the matter moot, this recent appeals court decision has reignited hope for many. Doubts remain however, particularly concerning the U.S. Department of Labor’s willingness or ability to reinstate these cut-off benefits. Still, the plaintiff’s attorney, Marc Dann, persists in his fight to restore pandemic relief for Ohioans. As the Ohio Attorney General’s office reviews the ruling to determine the next course of action, countless Ohioans anxiously await the final decision.

In similar situations elsewhere, contacting local unemployment offices and representatives may be of help. For Ohioans, it’s best to understand how to engage effectively with your representatives to assert your rights. Websites like eddcaller.com provide useful information on how to contact edd, california unemployment customer service, and how to talk to someone at edd disability. As they navigate these unprecedented legal situations, Ohioans are advised to harness resources like these to find potential solutions and assistance.