Ohio Initial Unemployment Claims Hold Steady, Continued Claims Rise Slightly

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans filed 4,850 initial unemployment claims during the week ending October 31, just two fewer than the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Continued claims increased by 377 to 35,550. Combined, initial and continued claims totaled 40,400 for the week of October 25–31.

The department flagged approximately 872 initial claims for additional identity verification. A flag does not establish that a claim is fraudulent.

Ohio’s September unemployment rate was 3.4%, compared with the national rate of 4.2%. The state’s labor force participation rate was 61.2%, compared with 61.8% nationally.

Job seekers can receive help finding openings, preparing resumes and practicing interviews through OhioMeansJobs.com or one of the state’s 88 OhioMeansJobs centers.