The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation’s Board of Directors today approved to send up to $1.6 billion to Ohio employers this spring to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Board met in a virtual emergency session this morning in response to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s call for state agencies to do all they can to help the state’s business community withstand COVID-19’s challenges.

Thanks also to strong investment returns, the dividend equals approximately 100% of the premiums employers paid in policy year 2018. Of the $1.6 billion dividend, approximately $1.4 billion would go to private employers and approximately $200 million would go to local government taxing districts, such as counties, cities, townships, and schools.

Checks will be mailed in batches to employers later this month.