Sykes Supports Additional Unemployment Insurance Funding

State Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) voted with the Ohio Controlling Board this week to approve more than $140 million in additional funds for unemployment assistance. “We still have a long fight ahead of us as we navigate this pandemic,” said Sykes. “Many Ohioans, especially those who are at a higher risk of experiencing complications with the virus, are still not able to return to work. We must continue to support those who have lost their jobs and that starts with improving response times so folks can receive the payments they deserve in a timely manner.” The additional support, which will be appropriated from federal funding, will help improve the system the Ohio Department of Job and Family services uses to distribute unemployment payments. Senator Sykes had previously supported the department's request for nearly $53 million to address the record-high number of claimants, expansion of unemployment to people who would not normally be covered by unemployment insurance and improvements to the department’s systems and public response times. More information about these funds can be found here.