Reasons for Unemployment

• After determining whether a claimant is monetarily eligible to receive unemployment benefits based on his prior earnings, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reviews his case to determine non-monetary eligibility. During the non-monetary eligibility review, the department verifies whether an applicant is unemployed for a lack of work, as provided on his original claim application. If he terminated employment, the department will evaluate whether the voluntary termination was a result of good cause reasons for termination.
  
  

Justifiable Reasons to Terminate Employment

• The Ohio legal standard to establish whether an applicant's reason for termination is one based on just cause is whether any other reasonable and ordinary applicant would have terminated employment for the same reason. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services specifically states that good cause reasons include refusing to engage in illegal employment activities, refusal to work in illegal and unsafe work conditions, refusal to work based on moral grounds or those based on discrimination.
  
  Quitting for lack of transportation is generally not considered a just cause reason to terminate employment. Since an applicant could have used other forms of transportation, lack of transportation is not a good cause reason for termination. Similarly, an employee who terminated employment for a lack of child care will most likely be ineligible to claim unemployment benefits.
  
  

Consequences

• In addition to receiving an initial disqualification for benefits, an employee who was unable to secure necessary transportation for work is also ineligible to receive benefits based on the state's work search requirements. An eligible employee must look for work, remain available for work and accept suitable work, which is generally any work offers within a reasonable distance, and employees cannot limit their job searches to immediate areas. Moreover, an applicant must be ready and able to accept work offers, and failing to secure transportation would disqualify an employee.
  
  

Considerations

• Since state laws can frequently change, do not use this information as a substitute for legal advice. Seek advice through an attorney licensed to practice law in your state.