WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) sent a letter, co-signed by Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich and Tim Ryan, to Michael Colbert, the Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). The letter calls on the agency to improve its alarming rate of improper denials of claims and underpayments of unemployment insurance to jobless Ohioans.

An analysis of Department of Labor data by the National Employment Law project showed Ohio's rate of improper claim denials and underpayments was significantly higher than the national average in 2010.  Ohio's improper denial rate, based on monetary eligibility, was 14.7% compared to 6.7% nationally. Denials based on how an Ohio claimant was separated from employment were incorrectly made 12% of the time, compared to 6.1% nationally.  Consequently, many Ohioans did not receive or had to wait long periods of time to receive the unemployment benefits to which they were entitled.

This occurred while Ohio's fraud rate (1.7%) was less than the national average (2.7%). In their letter, Congresswoman Fudge and her colleagues agreed that fraudulent claims should not be tolerated.  However, they expressed concerns that while ODJFS has dedicated significant resources to combating fraudulent claims, there has been no apparent focus to improve the state's below average performance in awarding jobless Ohioans the benefits they rightfully earned.

"Ohio has a dismal record of serving unemployed workers in their hour of need. Frustrated constituents have called my office seeking help to appeal wrongfully denied benefit claims or underpayments.  At a time when thousands of Ohioans are still struggling to find a job that pays a living wage and keep a roof over their heads, I urge state officials to give this problem the attention it deserves," said Congresswoman Fudge.

Click here to view a copy of the letter.

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