Ohio
Laid off in Ohio? Start here.
Who to call, what Ohio law says about your notice, and the free state programs most people never hear about. Everything here is free, and every fact has its source at the bottom.
Who to call
Ohio's free help, in one place.
Rapid Response is the state team that steps in around a layoff. The job center is where you sign up for career help and training. Unemployment is its own office.
- Rapid Response
- Office of Workforce Development614-696-0506OhioMeansJobs
- Unemployment
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services1-877-644-6562File a claimBefore you file, check how Ohio treats severance with the Unemployment Check.
- Job center near you
- Find an American Job Center (search by ZIP code)
The Rapid Response team works with employers too, so say up front that you're a worker who was laid off and ask where to start. You don't need your employer's permission.
Your notice
Ohio has its own layoff-notice law.
Since September 29, 2025, Ohio has its own layoff-notice law. It follows the federal size rules and requires 60 days' notice, and the notice to each worker must include unemployment and assistance information and any job placement, retraining or counseling on offer.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.31 (HB 96) · Littler, Ohio enacts mini-WARN Act
See recent Ohio notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in Ohio
What's different here.
The state's career navigator
Ohio Career Navigator, on OhioMeansJobs, matches your skills and interests to jobs and training in the state.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for Ohio and every other state, and none of them asks for your name.
- 1Unemployment CheckWhen to file, and the weeks severance may offset
- 2Runway CheckKnow your runway in ten minutes
- 3Insurance CheckCOBRA or the Marketplace: what coverage actually costs
- 4401(k) CheckWhat touching the 401(k) really costs
Your Plan puts the Ohio calls in the right week, next to your unemployment claim and your severance deadlines. Build my free Plan
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Rapid Response Coordinators
- U.S. Department of Labor, How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- Littler, Ohio enacts mini-WARN Act
- Government Technology, Ohio launches career navigator tool
- OhioMeansJobs
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; Ohio's job center has the final word.
General education, not legal advice. PinkSlipped isn't affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or any state agency.