Cutrona Calls for Delay of Unemployment Overpayment Collections

State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) announces he has introduced House Bill 771, which halts the collection of unemployment overpayments for the duration of the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Cutrona stated how this bill is intended to assist those individuals who faced challenges during the pandemic.

“Across the state and within the Mahoning Valley, we are seeing Ohioans struggle financially due to COVID-19. Many of these individuals have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are now reliant on the unemployment system for their survival,” said Cutrona. “Collection of this overpayment will only serve to increase the financial burden these individuals face at a time they need assistance the most.”

This legislation will not prevent Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) from collecting on overpayment due to fraud or in the federal required instances of an individual who was overpaid in another state and moved to Ohio. This bill’s intention is to provide protection for those who desperately need assistance and provide them relief from the worry of paying back overpayment until the end of the State of Emergency.

Cutrona also recently voted in support of legislation last week pertaining to the unemployment compensation system. House Bill 614 improves Ohio’s unemployment compensation system by creating the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council to evaluate the claim filing process and technological infrastructure.

The legislation now awaits committee referral where it can begin to receive hearings.