Employee Or Independent Contractor?
 An employee has far more legal rights than an independent contractor. For example, employees are far more likely to get insurance benefits in the case of an accident and also receive more protection against discrimination. In most cases, independent contractors cannot claim overtime and they must also pay additional taxes. Employers know this and will sometimes call you an independent contractor when you're really an employee.  Protect yourself and know your rights. Find out your true status, which may be different from what you signed or agreed to. 

Have I Been Misclassified As An Independent Contractor When I Should Really Be An Employee? (Ohio)
To get out of paying taxes or benefits, some employers may have you sign a document saying you are an independent contractor when legally you're not one. This link tells you how to find out and report an employer if they have wrongfully misclassified you.

Job Loss Triggers Hunt for Health Insurance Options (Ohio)
Lists various options.

Ohio Workplace Law: Brief Overview (Mixture of Federal & Ohio Law)
COBRA p.167.
Workers Compensation pp.160-161.
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act p.167.

A Women's Rights To Equality In Health Benefits

Questions To Ask Regarding Employer Provided Health Benefits

COBRA Health Benefits 
Know your rights. Federal COBRA law requires most private employers to continue to make existing group health insurance available to workers who are discharged or resign from employment. 

For More Help See Consumer-SOS-Health & Medical

Back To Top


Pension Information
Protecting Your Benefits
Family Members Rights To Benefits
The Employee Retirement Security Act
Pension Regulatory Agencies


Protecting Your Benefits

Ohio Workplace Law: Brief Overview (Mixture of Federal & State Law)
Family & Medical Leave Act p.153
Workers Compensation pp.160-161.
Social Security, Pension, etc. pp.161-162.
Unemployment Benefits and Severance Pay pp.164-165.
Vacation Pay p.166.
COBRA p.167.

Mid-America Pension Rights Project  (For Help In MI, OH, KY, IA, TN and PA)
Free legal help to retirees with pension concerns regardless of their income.  Services include phone consultations with attorneys, brief services, and advocacy.  For example, they can help with: filing claims, investigating benefit denials; pension benefits for spouses, divorced people or survivors, and finding pensions "lost" due to company mergers, relocation, or bankruptcy.

Overview Of Your Pension Plan And What You Need To Know

Protect Your Pension: A Quick Reference Guide
How to find out who is managing your pension money, rules that pension managers must follow, and what to do if you think there are problems.

Protecting Your Plan's Assets From Mismanagement And Misuse
Discusses the responsibilities of people who manage your pension plan and gives you guidance on how to protect your assets.

Protecting Your Benefits in the Event of Plan Terminations and Mergers
Describes what might happen to your benefits if your employer decides to terminate or merge your pension plan with another plan.


Receiving Pensions & Security

Ohio Workplace Law: Brief Overview (Mixture of Federal & State Law)
Social Security, Pension, etc. pp.161-162.

Payment Of Pension Benefits
Outlines your rights to payment of pension benefits.

The IRS Employee Plans Corner
Features employee retirement plan information.

The IRS Service Guide For Small Businesses
Includes a section on retirement plans, including information on SEPs, SIMPLE plans, Keogh (H.R. 10) Plans, and others.

What You Should Know About Your Pension Rights
Explains the rights and obligations you have under federal law as a pension participant ,as well as the rights and obligations of pension plan sponsors.

Your Right To Plan Information
Outlines the disclosure requirements of pension plans, including documents that a plan administrator must make available to you, the information these documents should contain and alternative sources of the information.

Benefit Accrual And Vesting
Rules for eligibility, benefit accrual and vesting

Back to Top


Family Member Rights & Benefits

Ohio Workplace Law: Brief Overview (Mixture of Federal & State Law)
Family & Medical Leave Act p.153
Workers Compensation pp.160-161.
Social Security, Pension, etc. pp.161-162.
COBRA p.167.

Providing Survivor Benefits To Your Spouse
Tells you what protections the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) provides to your surviving spouse if your benefit was vested upon your death.

Dividing Your Pension For Family Support
Describes the rights of the parties and the obligations of the plan if a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependent seeks a portion or all of your pension benefits.

Back to Top


Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

What Is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)?
Synopsis of law at bottom of page. ERISA sets the minimum standards for pension plans in private industry.

Frequently Asked Questions On ERISA (US Dept Of Labor)

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Full text of the ERISA statute and regulations

Making A Benefits Claim And Filing Suit Under ERISA
Outlines how and under what circumstances you can make a claim for benefits, tells you what appeal procedures to follow if your claim for benefits is denied, and describes your rights to pursue a lawsuit.

ERISA's Protections Against Inadequate Plan Funding
Discusses the rules that require employers to adequately fund their pension plans.

Where Else To Go For Help


Back to Top


Pension Regulatory Agencies

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
The EBSA protects the integrity of pensions, health plans, and other employee benefits and can assist you in getting the information you need to protect your benefit rights.

EBSA Field Office Directory (Formerly PWBA)
Find contact information for the office in your region

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
The PBGC protects the retirement incomes of about 43 million American workers -- one of every three working persons -- in nearly 40,000 defined benefit pension plans.

Mid-America Pension Rights Project  (For Help In MI, OH, KY, IA, TN and PA)
Free legal help to retirees with pension concerns regardless of their income.  Services include phone consultations with attorneys, brief services, and advocacy.  For example, they can help with: filing claims, investigating benefit denials; pension benefits for spouses, divorced people or survivors, and finding pensions "lost" due to company mergers, relocation, or bankruptcy.

PBGC’s Frequently Asked Questions

Divorce Orders & PBGC


Back to Top
 

Worker’s Compensation

Workers’ Compensation: When Is an Injury or Disease Covered? (Ohio)

Workers' Compensation Information for Small Businesses (Ohio)

Employers May Conduct After-Accident Chemical Screens (Ohio)

Workers' Compensation 
What to do when you have an accident, What on the job injuries are covered and the type of benefits you can receive.

Your Right To Apply For And Receive Workers Compensation

Find Your Workers' Compensation Agency (All 50 States & DC)

Workers Comp Claims: Prepping For Adverse Medical Exams

Consumer And Government Health Care Links (NCQA.org)

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select Ohio, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

Where Else To Go For Help

See Also Consumer-SOS/Accidents & Injuries

Back To Top


Unemployment Benefits

What You Should Know about Unemployment Compensation (Ohio)

Ohio Unemployment Compensation Insurance FAQs

Department of Jobs And Family Services (Ohio Department of Labor)

Employers Not Required to Provide Severance Pay (Ohio)

Unemployment Insurance Brochures (All 50 States & DC)
Choose Ohio and learn how to collect benefits, what to do if your denied and more.  Also has good information for employers.

Summary Of How To Apply Or Qualify (All 50 States & DC)

Receiving Benefits In A Quit Or Discharge (Many States)
Smattering of states laws on when you can receive unemployment benefits. To find Ohio use the control F find function and enter the name of your state.
On your keyboard, just by hold down the "control" button and then press the letter "F". Then enter your state in the search box. Use the "find next" button in the search box to see where else your state is mentioned. 

Unemployment Benefits-Important Questions To Ask
Also tells you when your benefits can be denied.

Maximum Weekly UI Benefits (All 50 States & Territories)

Finding An Unemployment Insurance Office
Helps citizens find out more about unemployment insurance in their home state.

Preparing For A Benefits Hearing
Tips and strategies on what to do at an unemployment benefits Hearing.

Assistance For Needy Families By State
Welfare assistance in every state and DC.

Where Else To Go For Help


Back to Top


Maximum Weekly Benefits By State

State By State Unemployment Benefits (As of 2/01/09)
Before taxes are taken out.

Back to Top