Ohio senate bill would stop state from penalizing old and jobless

Ohio is the only state in the nation that cuts unemployment benefits by the amount of Social Security a person receives, resulting in no unemployment benefits for most senior citizens.

Eight states reduce jobless benefits by 50 percent of a person’s Social Security. The rest have no reduction. Senate Bill 116, introduced by state Sen. Joy Padgett, would eliminate the offset.

She said the bill has received no opposition, “just disbelief,” as most Ohioans were unaware of the policy.