This was part of a series of articles that written in 2020-2021 to help Ohio cosmetologists navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that we are not currently offering any free courses.
This article is for the recently unemployed Ohio hair stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist / nail tech, or salon worker affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
We are a Ohio cosmetology continuing education provider offering online courses for Ohio cosmetologists and nail techs. As a CE provider we do a lot of research into industry regulations. We thought we could put those research skills to use by helping Ohio cosmetologists, hair stylists, manicurists / nail techs and other salon workers understand Ohio’s unemployment benefits.
So we put together this article to point you to some resources that may help you replace some of the income you’ve lost.
We’re also offering the 2-HR Safety and Infection Control continuing education course for free to all Ohio cosmetologists and nail techs as a promotion for our site launch. Lastly, we’re offering 25% off promo codes for all our other courses — just visit our Ohio cosmetologist and manicurist continuing education course page and enter your email.
However the Coronavirus caught us by surprise so it’ll be a couple weeks before our courses are live. Enter your email on the cosmetologist online continuing education course page and we’ll notify you when we’ve launched and send you that promo code for 25% off any course.
Below are some resources to help you get some financial relief until things get back to normal – but first a quick disclaimer:
We are cosmetologists. We are not attorneys and are not providing legal advice. What follows is our own personal understanding of what resources are available and how they relate to salon workers. We do not guarantee that our understanding is accurate and we can’t promise that this information applies to your specific situation. Always visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services unemployment page for up-to-date unemployment information. Always see an attorney for legal advice.
Where do unemployed Ohio hair stylists go to file their claim?
If you’re an unemployed Ohio hair stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist / nail tech, or salon worker then you should go to unemployment.ohio.gov to start the claims process and follow this guide from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) so your claim can be processed as quickly as possible (but expect delays right now).
ODJFS also has these videos up that cover how to file a claim and use the site.
How much can I expect to collect?
The math is complicated – you can read about how they’re calculated here if you like.
What may be easier is to use the ODJFS Unemployment Calculator to estimate your weekly amount. There is also this PDF chart from the unemployment.ohio.gov site.
Lost your job due to COVID-19? You can get normal unemployment plus $600/week through the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation which is part of the recent CARES act.
The recent CARES act established something called the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PUA) program which provides an extra $600/week to those who lost their jobs due to the virus. So it’s quite possible Ohio salon workers will get $600/week more than they would normally get from unemployment insurance.
Are unemployed hair stylists eligible for benefits in Ohio?
Normally to qualify for unemployment benefits, the ODJFS employee guide says that the following four key factors must be met:
- You are “totally” or “partially” unemployed at the time you file your application.
- You worked enough weeks and earned enough money in
“covered” employment during the “base period” of your claim. - You are unemployed through no fault of your own.
- If you had a prior benefit account, you reestablished yourself as a
worker by performing enough work since the prior account began.
So if you’re an unemployed Ohio hair stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist / nail tech, or salon worker who fits that description then you’re probably eligible. But wait, there’s some recent changes that allow more people to qualify so keep reading.
What about unemployed Ohio hair stylists who work as independent contractors or are self-employed? What about part-time salon workers?
However, because of the pandemic, self-employed workers, independent contractors, 1099 tax filers, part-time workers and some other individuals who previously were not eligible for unemployment benefits can now file through the PUA program we mentioned earlier. The benefit amount will be similar to traditional unemployment benefits, plus an additional $600.
However, States are still catching up to the new CARES act and it’s not 100% clear how things will work.
According to ODJFS, Ohio should have a system in place for these workers to file claims in mid-May 2020. Those claims will be retroactive for benefits received from March 29 through July 31.
ODJFS says Ohio to have system in place for self-employed and part-time workers in mid-May 2020
If you’re a self-employed hair stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist / nail tech, or salon worker or a booth renter, independent contractor, or part-time salon worker then check ODJFS’s Expanded Eligibility page often to get the latest implementation details.
How does unemployment work with tips?
It sounds like if tips are reported by your employer on your taxes then they’d get factored into your unemployment benefit – according to Ohio’s Unemployment Eligibility page.
I heard it’s really hard to file for unemployment right now. What’s going on?
There are many reports about technical and resource challenges as States adjust to handle the large spike in unemployment claims. It sounds like everyone is working hard to get things done as quickly as possible but expect delays and know benefits are retroactive.
What relief is there for salon owners and other employers?
Visit the Small Business Administration for info about available relief options. We’re exploring this ourselves and will let you know what we find in a future post.
We hope this information was helpful and that you and your loved ones are safe.
— Liz and John