Lengthy delays in collecting unemployment benefits for some workers have been an issue throughout the pandemic.
Initially, there were delays in getting some of the federal programs set up in Ohio to provide benefits for independent contractors, the self-employed and other workers not eligible for traditional unemployment programs.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which administers unemployment aid in Ohio, was swamped with pandemic claims under the state's traditional unemployment system to begin with. Add in the new federal programs, and the agency was ill-equipped with manpower and technology to handle so many claims.
Problems with fraudulent claims have run into the hundreds of thousands. Many workers with existing claims have seen their cases flagged because of fraud.