COLUMBUS, Ohio - Weekend system upgrades have made federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance again available to Ohioans, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The upgrades will allow 134,000 Ohioans who have been waiting to receive the benefits since the program expired on December 26thto submit new PUA applications.

 “Those eligible will receive all benefits they are entitled to, in addition to the new weekly $300 supplemental payments available to all unemployment insurance beneficiaries through recent federal legislation,” said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Kimberly Henderson.

The PUA program supports business owners, the self-employed, independent contractors, and others who don’t qualify for traditional unemployment benefits.

It was originally created by the federal CARES Act in March 2020 in response to the pandemic. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, signed on December 27, extended and amended the program.

State unemployment officials say new program integrity requirements and complexities are taking all states time to implement.

The new legislation provides up to an additional 11 weeks of PUA, or 50 weeks total, for those who are eligible.

The weekend system allows claimants to receive benefits for a portion of those 11 extended weeks. Those impacted have been notified and can now log into their accounts, file claims, and receive payments for which they are eligible, according to ODJFS. Payment amounts will vary by individual.

ODJFS is posting updates with target implementation dates at jfs.ohio.gov/caa, frequently asked questions at unemployment.ohio.gov, and an infographic showing all the available unemployment programs.