(Ohio) – Nearly 33,000 people in Ohio filed for unemployment benefits in the last week bringing the total to well above 1.3 million jobless claims for the year.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has indicated the agency has paid out more than $4.1 billion in jobless benefits already for 2020 – more than has ever been paid out in a single year. Officials announced recently that an executive order will allow for benefits to continue for individuals who are unable to work from home and for those in a high-risk category: are over 65 years of age, have evidence of a health or safety violation by their employer, or have proof that they had to quarantine or are caring for a family member with COVID-19.

The agency reported however, the state has not been denying jobless benefits for COVID-19 related reasons such as concerns about contracting coronavirus on the job or being ordered to quarantine. However, as it related to workers who don’t have child care, things are changing.

Officials noted that refusing to return to work because of a child care issue was not included in the most recent executive order and that the refusal is appealable. Ohio’s child care facilities were given the okay to reopen on May 31st with limits in place in terms of the number of kids and strict rules on health and safety practices.