A judge in Franklin County has ruled that a class action lawsuit over federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments can continue in court.

The lawsuit, filed by DannLaw, challenges Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's decision to terminate $900 million in financial benefits for Ohioans in 2021.

In a 16-page order, Judge Michael Holbrook denied Ohio Attorney general Dave Yost's motion to dismiss the suit, saying the plaintiffs "sufficiently plead claims for declaratory judgement, injunctive relief and petitions for writs of mandamus."

A status conference for the lawsuit has been scheduled for April 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Originally filed in July of 2021 by attorneys Marc Dann, Brian Flick, and Andrew Engel, the suit asks the Court to order Governor DeWine to reverse his decision and notify the U.S. Secretary of Labor that the state would accept and distribute $300 in weekly supplemental benefits made available under the CARES Act to eligible Ohioans. According to Dann, those affected may be owed as much as $900 million.