THE LATEST NEWS:
  • Ross County remains at 10. The Ross County Health District says there are 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases & 44 probable cases in Ross County.
  • The uncertain world for servers, cooks,and others in the food service industry is spotlighted in this Gazette article.
  • Fluor-BWXT donates $20,000 to area food banks in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Yes, The Feast of the Flowering Moon has been canceled for 2020.
COMING MONDAY: Click image to register
Navigating the frustrating waters of unemployment in the COVID-19 age
It's a frustrating existence as a laid off worker without the incredibly frustrating combination of a pandemic and an influx of newly unemployed people in a system that wasn't prepared for them.

In the past few days, I've fielded a lot of calls regarding unemployment. I have some answers, but when I don't have those readily available, I'm passing the information on to those who need to know.

Here's an answer I've been told repeatedly: "We don't have an answer for that yet, because we are still building the system to handle it."

It's true that patience will be needed to be unemployed in today's day, but it's equally accurate that patience is in short supply - and running shorter each day.

With that in mind, I reached out to Ross County Job and Family Services to ask them a few questions. You'll find a link to an FAQ they supplied below.

One that isn't answered is common: I keep calling the Unemployment number to check on my claim, but the message says the call volume is too great and to check back later, before disconnecting. What do I do?

The easy answer is you have to keep trying. Yes, it's frustrating and time-consuming. Try doing it on off-peak hours. For example, it's open 24/7, so maybe try it early in the morning (think like 2 a.m.). You can also send an email to UI_Respond@jfs.ohio.gov to create a paper trail you can reference later.

Here are a few select ones:

Q: Are self-employed individuals and contractors eligible for unemployment benefits?
A:  Updated: Currently, self-employed individuals and 1099 contractors are not eligible for unemployment benefits. However, Governor DeWine has asked the federal government to implement a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. DUA programs are sometimes implemented after natural disasters and offer benefits to individuals who do not qualify for regular unemployment. For continuing updates, please visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm .
Q: When will I know if I will receive unemployment benefits? When could I receive my first payment?
A:  We are working as quickly as possible to process a record number of claims. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a determination. The determination will state whether you qualify for benefits. If you qualify, and if you chose direct deposit, your first payment will be deposited into your account within a few business days. If you chose debit card, it will take a few days longer. All benefits will be retroactive to the date you first qualified. Remember that to receive payments, you also must file weekly claims.
*NEW* Information for small business owners
For our last set of links, click here .

New information from the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance, which provides local benefits for Chamber members:

Anthem and SOCA are very pleased to announce that the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) Benefit Plan is making room for sole proprietors. They can enroll in the plan starting July 1.

The broker community has already received instructions from Anthem regarding new case submission. Quoting starts April 20.

An eligible sole proprietor must:
  • Meet underwriting requirements.
  • Work more than 30 hours per week (documentation required).
  • Submit a cover page for Form 1040 with Schedule C or Form 1040 with Schedules F and SE.

Regulations limit sole proprietor membership to 10 percent of total SOCA Benefit Plan membership.

This is limited to sole proprietors. Presently this offer is not intended for non-profit organizations with one employee.

Contact the Chamber if you need additional information.

FREE WEBINARS :
  • Each day this week - How to succeed at selling remotely (Zoom meeting (register please), courtesy of Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance)
  • Friday, April 10 at noon - Inc. presents National Small Business Town Hall #3 (link)
  • Tuesday, April 14 - How to save your small business. (Cultivate Eventbrite site)
  • *NEW* Tuesday, April 14 at 1 p.m. - Grow with Google: Keeping The Lights On (webinar link)
  • Wednesday, May 6 at 9 a.m. or noon - Grow with Google session: Manage Your Business Remotely in Times of Uncertainty (webinar link)
Miss one of these updates? Click below to catch up!
April 8. 2020 - Announcing our COVID-19 resource virtual meeting and our virtual Business After Business
April 7, 2020 - Instant analysis on state establishing Office of Small Business Relief; coming soon Zoom session on COVID-19 resources
April 6, 2020 - More good things being done by our businesses; and more.
April 3, 2020 - Help our nursing home workers by making masks; BWC changes impacting employer programs. Face mask video from CEO Mike Throne.
April 2, 2020 - Stay-at-home order extended to May 1; OSU Small Business Development Center representatives ready to help
April 1, 2020 - Rapid-fire updates and more resources for monies available
March 31, 2020 - What does 'state of emergency' for Ross County mean?; Community Response team
March 30, 2020 : More information on the SBA loans, CARES Act
March 26, 2020 : What 'essential' businesses must do; SBA loans and CARES Act
March 23, 2020 : REGULAR NEWSLETTER: Even as businesses close, they're reaching out to the community; video interview with Alex Kohls from the U.S. Small Business Administration on disaster loans.
March 17, 2020 : A video message from Chamber CEO Mike Throne
Coronavirus numbers, facts and figures
Links to information:

  • Looking for a job? The state has a job page on its Coronavirus page that helps connect those out of work with jobs.

  • The Ohio Channel YouTube page, where the Governor, Lt. Gov. and director of the Ohio Department of Health give regular updates at 2 p.m. on most days.

  • Governor's Stay at Home Order (Link)

  • The Chillicothe Ross Community Foundation's Coronavirus Fund needs donations, and can potentially help non-profits with some of the costs of helping the community cope with the impact of COVID-19 in the area.

  • The United Way of Ross County is awarding micro-grants to non-profits working to address community needs due to COVID-19's impact.
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce | Email Mike Throne | chillicotheohio.com