Ohio employers yet to cash $10.8M in workers’ comp rebate checks

Checks will begin expiring in one week

Submitted by OHIO BWC

COLUMBUS – More than 5,500 Ohio employers are sitting on $10.8 million in uncashed checks from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

The checks, distributed by BWC this summer as part of a $1.5 billion rebate, have a 90-day life and will begin expiring on Oct. 3.

“BWC will reissue checks but that will further delay employers’ access to their rebates,” said BWC Chief of Fiscal and Planning Barbara Ingram. “Employers can spend their rebates as they choose, whether that means hiring new employees, growing their business or investing in safety. They just need to get those checks to the bank quickly so they can begin putting their rebates to good use.”

BWC began sending the checks in batches on June 28. The first of the six batches will expire Oct. 3 and all outstanding checks will expire by the end of October.

Following is a list of remaining uncashed checks by issue date:

Issue Date         Expiration Date             Outstanding Number    Outstanding Amount

6/28/18               10/3/18                           44                                    $143,241.38

7/9/18                 10/12/18                         665                                  $2,246,544.71

7/11/18               10/16/18                         782                                  $1,539,251.04

7/13/18               10/18/18                         1,291                               $2,421,536.18

7/17/18               10/22/18                         1,611                               $3,016,371.74

7/19/18               10/24/18                         1,154                               $1,513,171.55

Total                                                         5,547                                $10,880,116.60

BWC will credit an employer’s account the amount of their rebate if they do not cash their check. Credits will apply to any outstanding balances owed by the employer and a new check will be issued for any remaining credit on the account.

This year’s rebate followed $1 billion rebates issued in 2013, 2014 and 2017 and brings workers’ comp savings for all Ohio employers to $8 billion since 2011.