COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans could see $900 million in federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits finally reach their pockets, after the state Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging Gov. Mike DeWine’s 2021 decision to end the program early.
Lower courts have ruled that DeWine violated state law by stopping the payments, which provided an extra $300 per week to eligible recipients. A Franklin County judge ordered the funds to be distributed in February, and the Tenth District Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in June. Watch a previous NBC4 report on the lawsuit in the video player above.
DeWine ended the program 10 weeks ahead of schedule, citing concerns that the extra benefits were worsening labor shortages. If it had continued, more than 300,000 Ohioans would have received payments through September 2021.
Plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, represented by former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, argued the law requires the governor to accept and distribute federal benefits while they are available, regardless of other considerations.
“I couldn’t make the rent,” said Michelle Carr, one of the plaintiffs. “I was unemployed. I went out looking for jobs throughout. You know, I live in a small town. There really ain’t a whole, whole lot here.”
Justin Pertuset, another plaintiff, added: “We put all of our faith in him. And we feel like he let us down, and he still is. It’s not about Republican, Democrat. It’s just about doing the right thing.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case was nearly unanimous. Justice Jennifer Brunner, the court’s sole Democrat, voted against hearing the appeal, and Justice Pat DeWine, the governor’s son, did not take part.