COVID-19 Unemployment Resources & FAQ's
Unemployment insurance is a temporary income intended for individuals who have experienced a loss of work due to no fault of their own when suitable work is not available. It is an insurance paid by employers. The CARES Act – the federal government’s $2 trillion economic relief package – includes $250 billion to increase access to unemployment benefits.
CAN I FILE A CLAIM IF I DON'T HAVE INTERNET?
You may call 1.800.555.1554 to speak with a representative regarding filing a claim by phone.
WHO CAN FILE UNEMPLOYMENT?
Unemployment insurance is a temporary income intended for individuals who have experienced a loss of work due to no fault of their own when suitable work is not available. It is an insurance paid by employers.
HOW DO I COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?
DO I HAVE TO MAKE WORK SEARCHES DURING COVID-19?
No. At this time the OESC has waived the work search requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the required number of work search contacts is zero, individuals should respond “yes” when asked if the required number of work search contacts have been made when filing a weekly claim for benefits.
DO I HAVE TO SERVE A WAITING PERIOD DURING COVID-19?
No. The Governor has signed an Executive Order waiving the waiting period. All claims filed with an effective date of 3/15/20 or later will have the waiting period waived as long as the order remains in effect.
HOW ARE PAYMENTS MADE?
An Unemployment Insurance benefit debit card will be issued to you at the time your first eligible week processes. It normally takes between 7-10 days to receive the card. Do not throw the debit card away. You have two options to receive unemployment insurance payments:
HOW DO I FILE?
A claim for unemployment benefits may be filed by visiting unemployment.ok.gov
Information courtesy of Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
You may call 1.800.555.1554 to speak with a representative regarding filing a claim by phone.
WHO CAN FILE UNEMPLOYMENT?
Unemployment insurance is a temporary income intended for individuals who have experienced a loss of work due to no fault of their own when suitable work is not available. It is an insurance paid by employers.
HOW DO I COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?
- File an Initial Claim. You can do this by clicking here. You should then register and prepare a resume on OKJobMatch.com. Email a copy of two forms of identification (one must be a photo ID) to IDVerification@oesc.state.ok.us. Your claim will be effective the Sunday during the week in which the claim is filed.
- Next, you must file weekly claims each week you wish to claim benefits (starting immediately). The weekly claim is a series of questions you must answer which will determine if you have met the eligibility requirements for the week you are filing.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE WORK SEARCHES DURING COVID-19?
No. At this time the OESC has waived the work search requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the required number of work search contacts is zero, individuals should respond “yes” when asked if the required number of work search contacts have been made when filing a weekly claim for benefits.
DO I HAVE TO SERVE A WAITING PERIOD DURING COVID-19?
No. The Governor has signed an Executive Order waiving the waiting period. All claims filed with an effective date of 3/15/20 or later will have the waiting period waived as long as the order remains in effect.
HOW ARE PAYMENTS MADE?
An Unemployment Insurance benefit debit card will be issued to you at the time your first eligible week processes. It normally takes between 7-10 days to receive the card. Do not throw the debit card away. You have two options to receive unemployment insurance payments:
- You may receive your payments via the prepaid debit card
- You may direct transfer the payments from the prepaid debit card into your own U.S. banking account, for no fee.
HOW DO I FILE?
A claim for unemployment benefits may be filed by visiting unemployment.ok.gov
Information courtesy of Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
