In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Ohioans faced unprecedented financial hardship. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program became a crucial lifeline, offering relief to workers who did not traditionally qualify for unemployment benefits, including gig workers, self-employed individuals, and part-time employees. However, the state’s decision to prematurely end these benefits in 2021 sparked a legal battle that continues, with Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost pursuing an appeal against a lawsuit seeking to reinstate the payments.
The heart of the lawsuit is simple: Was it lawful and just for Ohio to cut off federal unemployment benefits to about 300,000 Ohioans before their scheduled end? The courts have ruled that the state had an obligation to maximize economic aid for its citizens under Ohio law. Yet, instead of accepting this judgment and recognizing the profound struggles many Ohioans faced, DeWine and Yost recently chose to appeal, prolonging uncertainty and disregarding the economic realities confronting thousands.
By continuing this appeal, the state sends a message that politics outweighs the basic needs of its people, even during a crisis. While some argue that the early termination of PUA was meant to encourage workers to rejoin the labor force, the data paint a more nuanced picture. Numerous studies have revealed that ending pandemic unemployment benefits early had minimal impact on job growth but significant negative effects on household financial stability…