Calls for long-term solution to permanently allow unemployment benefits for independent contractors
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, which will expand unemployment benefits to independent contractors during the current COVID-19 crisis:
“I am extremely pleased to see the expansion of unemployment insurance to 1099 workers in the CARES Act. While I had been proactively working on bipartisan legislation to address the disparity in benefits available at the state level, I am glad to see the federal government address this problem.
Although my emergency legislation is no longer needed, the current crisis demonstrates the necessity for a long-term solution going forward that will guarantee independent contractors the help they need when they need it most. Given the productive conversations I’ve had with my fellow Representatives on both sides of the aisle, I am confident that we can craft a bipartisan solution together once this is all over.”
Rep. Weinstein began working on legislation to expand unemployment benefits to 1099 workers in response to the current crisis in mid-March, days before Director Amy Acton ordered her Stay at Home order for Ohio. Independent contractors and sole proprietors who find themselves unemployed as a result of COVID-19 will soon be able to join traditional workers in seeking assistance from the state online at unemployment.ohio.gov and over the phone at (877) 644-6562. Applicants filing claims do not have to show proof of looking for new work for the duration of the current crisis.
