Ohio Initial Jobless Claims Increase, Continued Claims Drop

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has released updated unemployment claim numbers for the week of May 3rd through May 9th, 2026.

Ohioans filed 4,717 initial unemployment claims during the week. That is 341 more than the previous week.

ODJFS says about 958 of those claims have been flagged for more stringent identity verification to help make sure they are not fraudulent.

Continued unemployment claims dropped during the same period. Ohioans filed 40,632 continued claims, which is 961 fewer than the previous week.

In all, 45,349 unemployment claims were filed in Ohio from May 3rd through May 9th.

Ohio’s unemployment rate in March was 4.1 percent, compared to the national rate of 4.3 percent. Ohio’s labor force participation rate was 62.1 percent, slightly above the national rate of 61.9 percent.

ODJFS says job seekers can visit OhioMeansJobs.com or contact their local OhioMeansJobs Center for help finding job openings, building resumes, practicing interviews, and accessing career resources.

Employers can also use OhioMeansJobs Centers for help finding skilled candidates, screening resumes, and learning about tax credits or training programs.

ODJFS urges individuals to file unemployment claims online at unemployment.ohio.gov. Anyone who suspects their identity was used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim should report it through the same website or call 833 658 0394.