If the extension had been approved, it would have been the fifth renewal since early 2008.
The cut-off now hits anyone whose 26 weeks of regular unemployment has run out since May 23 and those whose federal extended benefits have run out since May 29.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Ohioans who previously qualified for extended benefits are reaching the full extent of their eligibility. Since late April, 2,000 long-term unemployed Ohioans each week have been exhausting their full 99 weeks of extended benefits, said Ben Johnson, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
“We encourage those people to visit their One-Stop Job Center to get help with their job search, or go online or visit their county (jobs and family service) office to learn more about food and cash assistance,” he said.
The number of Ohioans seeking public assistance has climbed dramatically in the past two years. Those receiving food stamps increased 50 percent, from 1.1 million people in June 2008 to 1.6 million in April of this year, the latest ODJFS figures. Cash assistance rolls have grown similarly from 156,000 people to 227,000 in the same period.
Even so, Johnson said no one in need should be discouraged from applying. “The programs are there for a reason,” he said.
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