Rep. Liston announces $347.9 million for unemployment, health and other COVID-19 supports for Ohioans

Funds come as coronavirus cases continue to surge due to delta variant

September 20, 2021

Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of $175.3 million in federal funds to improve the processing of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims to support Ohioans who lost their jobs during the pandemic through no fault of their own.

The Controlling Board also allocated $106 million to purchase at-home COVID-19 testing kits, which have been difficult for Ohioans to access due to increased demand for tests and limited supply.

“As the pandemic continues to thraten lives, it is our job to make sure Ohioans have what they need to stay healthy and thrive,” said Rep. Liston.

The Controlling Board approved other measures Monday to support Ohioans amid the coronavirus pandemic, including:

$47.1 million from the federal government to promote nutrition and combat hunger;
$12 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to support Ohio’s seniors and Area Agencies on Aging;
$2.8 million to distribute and administer COVID-19 vaccinations;
$2.8 million over the next two years to provide care for Ohioans on Medicaid;
$136,149 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19;
$1.8 million for court-appointed Special Advocate Programs.