I am an Ohio Resident. I am trying to get in touch with the unemployment offices about my held payments. (I fulfilled all requirements, but because of a glitch in their system, it showed one incomplete.

Q) I am an Ohio Resident. I am trying to get in touch with the unemployment offices about my held payments. (I fulfilled all requirements, but because of a glitch in their system, it showed one incomplete. I got this corrected, however I am told I must call them to point out that it is corrected so that they will release payments.) I have called the official number. This number has hung up on me a couple times, but it usually just says to call back later. I have called on several days at various times. I also logged on to the website to use their chat function. I have been on chat hold for several hours at a time, only to have the chat end or become “busy”; or after a couple hours of waiting, it will tell me that no agents are available. Have any of you figured out another way to contact them? Is there an email address? Does someone have a direct telephone number? I have literally been on hold cumulatively for maybe 25 – 30 hours on hold to correct something that isn’t my fault.

A) I understand your frustration. It can be very difficult to get in touch with the Ohio unemployment offices. Here are a few other ways you can try to contact them:

• Email: You can email the unemployment office at unemployment.ohio.gov/ouio/contact.stm. However, you may not receive a response as quickly as you would if you called.
• Fax: You can fax your request to 614-466-7449.
• Mail: You can mail your request to: Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations P.O. Box 1618 Columbus, OH 43216-1618
• Social media: You can try contacting the unemployment office on social media. They are active on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Again I can offer some general suggestions to help you get in touch with them:

1. Check the official website: Visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) website for information on how to contact them. Look for a “Contact Us” or “Help” section where they might provide alternative contact options.
2. Email: Search their website for an email address or an online contact form where you can describe your issue. Sometimes, agencies have specific email addresses for certain types of inquiries.
3. Social Media: Some government agencies have active social media accounts through which they address user concerns. Check if the unemployment office has an official social media presence and try reaching out to them there.
4. Local Office: Look for a local unemployment office near your area. They might have a direct phone number you can try calling, and they may be more accessible than the main helpline.
5. State Representatives: Reach out to your state representative or senator and explain your situation. They may be able to intervene on your behalf and help resolve the issue.
6. Ombudsman or Hotline: Some states have ombudsmen or special helplines to assist with unresolved issues related to government agencies. Check if Ohio offers such a service.
7. Keep Trying: I understand that you’ve already spent a significant amount of time on hold, but unfortunately, during peak times, government helplines can be overwhelmed. Persistence is key, so keep trying different times of the day to see if you can get through.

Remember to stay calm and polite when speaking to the representatives, as they may be dealing with many frustrated individuals and are more likely to help if you are respectful.

Please note that my information might be outdated, so always double-check with the official Ohio unemployment website for the latest contact information and methods to resolve your issue.