Who Is Eligible To File For Unemployment
Anyone is unemployed may file a claim for unemployment. Typically, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible.
- You are unemployed through no fault of your own
- You are able and available to seek and accept work
- You earned a minimum of $1,500 from a covered employer during your base period.
Since Unemployment Insurance is an insurance paid by Oklahoma employers, it is not available for self-employed, contract, or gig workers.
If you quit or were fired, an issue will be placed on your claim until a determination of eligibility is made by OESC. An individual shall be disqualified for benefits for leaving their last work voluntarily without good cause . There are also certain provisions for leaving work due to compelling family circumstances . If you were discharged or fired for misconduct, reference Oklahoma Employment Security Act section 2-406.
How To Get Cobra
Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see COBRA Premium Subsidy. The page links to information about COBRA including:
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How Do I Apply For Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Benefits
To apply for UI benefits in Oklahoma, you are required to create an online account and create a profile on ui.ok.gov. The process will include verifying your identity and entering your Social Security number.
Once youve logged into your account, follow the instructions to begin a Traditional Unemployment Compensation application. You should allow yourself about an hour to complete the full application.
You will need to have information handy regarding things like contact information for your previous employer, your employment start and end dates and your wages earned, along with whether you were paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. If you were employed by the federal government or recently discharged from the military, youll need to submit copies of your Form SF8 or SF 50 or your DD Form 214, respectively.
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What Can I Do If My Oklahoma Unemployment Appeal Is Denied
If an unemployment appeal is denied, then the employee , the employer or the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission may appeal the decision to the Board of Review. The review board generally will decide the matter based on the record made at the Appeal Tribunal. An appeal to the Board of Review should be mailed directly to the Board at the address printed in your appeal rights in your decision within 10 days of the mailing date of the Appeal Tribunal decision. The next level of appeal lies at the County District Court. In order to appeal in District Court, you must file Petition for Review with the court, within 30 days of denial by the Board of Review. Okla. Stat. tit. 40, § 2-610.
Who Is Exempt From Registering And Searching For Work
Unemployment Insurance benefits are a temporary income to assist individuals after they have been totally or partially separated from employment through no fault of their own. These benefits are meant to assist until new employment can be secured. Because of this, you must be able and available to seek and accept suitable work to receive Unemployment Insurance benefits.
During the pandemic, certain federal benefits were available for those who were considered high-risk or instructed by their doctor to remain out of the public, but Oklahoma discontinued those benefits on 6/26/21.
Currently, only specific individuals are exempt from registering and searching for work, but appropriate documentation must be provided. Exempted individuals include those who:
- Are on a temporary layoff with a definite return-to-work date within 8 weeks of the last date worked
- Are a member of a certified labor or trade union with a business agent or hiring hall
- Are in an approved training program such as training provided through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
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Find Out About Denied Unemployment Benefits In Oklahoma
The reasons for denied unemployment benefits in Oklahoma are varied and may involve an initial disqualification or may occur during the course of your collecting weekly benefits. Should an applicant be denied unemployment in OK, they have recourse to file an unemployment denial appeal with the state.
Will I Have To File A New Claim
Claimants do not have to file a new initial claim to receive these extended benefits. To receive these benefits, individuals only need to continue filing weekly claims. The only time an individual needs to file a new initial claim is at the end of their benefit year if they are receiving traditional UI or the PEUC extension. If there is a new separating employer, different than the separating employer listed on the previous initial claim, a new UI claim may be established. If the separating employer is the same as the previous initial claim, the claimant may be put back on the PEUC claim.
Those who are filing PUA will not need to file a new initial claim, and only need to continue filing weekly claims. At the end of each quarter, the system will check if the PUA claimant is eligible for regular UI, and if so the claimant may be switched to a UI claim. More information about your benefit year is available in the claim support section of this FAQ.
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What Is A Benefit Year
Your benefit year is the 52-week time period that your unemployment claim is considered active before you need to reapply. This starts when you first filed and were approved for unemployment benefits, and last for 52 weeks from when you were eligible. This does not necessarily mean you will be eligible for benefits all 52 weeks, which depends on your individual situation and federal extensions.
Proof Of Wages Documentation
If you were a WORKER/EMPLOYEE/CONTRACT LABORER, submit one or more of the methods listed below:
- A pay stub or earnings statement showing your total earnings for 2019
- IRS from W-2 from 2019 tax year
- IRS Form 1099 from the 2019 tax year.
If you were SELF-EMPLOYED in a previously established business at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and filed a tax return on that business for calendar year 2019, you must provide:
- a copy of your 2019 federal income tax forms.
- If you are the SOLE PROPRIETOR, you must submit a Schedule C, Profit and Loss Statement
- If you are in a PARTNERSHIP, you must submit Schedule K-1, Partners Share of Income, Credits, and Deductions.
- If you have a CORPORATION, you must submit form 1120, US Corporation Tax Return
- If you DID NOT FILE a tax return for the year 2019, you MUST give OESC a statement to that fact.
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When To File Oklahoma Weekly Unemployment Claims
Weekly claims forms must be submitted for each payment period. In Oklahoma the earlier you submit a claim, the quicker you will receive payment. For biweekly claim forms, there may be two separate forms to be submitted for each week in the Oklahoma benefit period. Be sure to submit both forms when filing a biweekly claim.
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Discover Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Requirements
Unemployment insurance eligibility in Oklahoma is governed by specific rules. Both initial OK eligibility for unemployment and eligibility after you have been accepted into the Oklahoma program are determined by these regulations. The rules involve how you were separated from your work, your ability to work, your availability to work, your continued looking for work, and your willingness to accept a job for which you are reasonably qualified.
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How To Collect Unemployment
Once your Oklahoma unemployment claim has been approved, you must still meet certain weekly requirements to continue collecting benefits. Your must
- Look for work each week,
- Record your work search activities,
- Report any wages, earnings or other income you receive and
- File weekly unemployment claims.
Your unemployment benefits will be dispersed either by a debit card or by direct deposit to your bank account. Recipients are automatically enrolled for a debit card. You may request direct deposit no sooner than 24 hours after filing for unemployment.
It can take as long as four weeks for the first payment to arrive after you file an unemployment claim. To receive unemployment benefits from the time you first apply. You may be required to file weekly claims and meet work search requirements during those weeks.
Learn About Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits Extensions
Oklahoma Unemployment Extensions Information
How to get an unemployment extension and more specifically what can I do to extend unemployment will undoubtedly be questions on the minds of many persons currently enrolled in the Oklahoma unemployment insurance benefits program. To assist in answering these questions about an unemployment extension, a recipient must understand the guidelines for the two types of unemployment benefits extension programs.
As a general rule, federal unemployment extension programs are only available during periods of high unemployment. One federal extension program is called the Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 which was a one-time legislative effort to assist those who lost their jobs during the Great Recession that of 2008.The other is called Federal-State Extended Duration . However, these two unemployment extension programs are not currently active in the United States.
For those wanting to learn more about an unemployment compensation extension please look at the following sections:
Oklahoma Unemployment Resources
Find Out How to Appeal Denied Benefits
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How Do I Apply For The Back To Work Incentive
The application for the Back to Work Initiative can be accessed on our Individuals page.
When you apply, please ensure you follow these tips:
- The employer information you enter into the application must exactly match the employer information shown on your paystub.
- Paystubs need to reflect all 6 weeks, and the number of hours worked each week, that were entered in the application.
- Example if you entered that you worked 40 hours each week from May 16 to June 26, your paystubs must show 40 hours for each week from May 16 to June 26.
Who Is Eligible And What You Receive
Oklahomans are eligible to file for unemployment if they have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced through no fault of their own, or if they quit because of unsafe or harmful working conditions.
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While receiving unemployment benefits, claimants who were laid off are required to be actively seeking new employment and must register at okjobmatch.com within seven days of filing their claim. People filing because of a temporary furlough or a reduction in hours are not required to meet these job-search requirements, according to Charlie Hannema, a spokesperson for the governors office.
Applicants for Oklahoma unemployment benefits must have made at least $1,500 during a year-long base period that includes the first four calendar quarters of the five quarters preceding the claim.
If approved, weekly payments will be equal to 1/23 of the amount earned during the highest-paid quarter of the base period. Total payments per week fall between a minimum of $16 and a maximum of $520. According to this informational booklet on the OESCs website, most individuals are eligible to receive benefits for approximately 20 weeks.
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Oklahoma Unemployment Eligibility: Key Terms
- Base Period The 52 week period used to determine what level of unemployment benefits you will be paid. It is the first four of the last five completed quarters.
- Benefit Week This is the seven day period that starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
- Benefit Year The 52 week period that starts when you file an initial claim for benefits. The amount of benefits you can be paid is framed within this defined period of time. In Oklahoma, it begins on the first Sunday following the date of your initial claim.
- OESC The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. This is the agency that oversees the administration of unemployment insurance benefits throughout the state. It also is tasked with providing job search, training and education services through the OKJobMatch system.
- Waiting Week The first week of your Benefit Year is called the Waiting Week. Even though you will not collect benefits for this week, you will still need to file a claim for benefits.
- Weekly Benefit Amount The amount of Oklahoma unemployment compensation you will be paid each week. It is determined based on wages earned during your Base Period and will be between $16 and $505 in Oklahoma.
- Workforce Service Centers The OESC operates 36 offices throughout Oklahoma to provide a wide variety of job search, training and skills services for job seekers and employers. To find one of several Oklahoma unemployment offices near you, visit our guide.
What Do I Do If I Received A 1099
If you received a 1099-G form, and didnt file for unemployment benefits in 2020 which leads you to believe you are the victim of fraud or identity theft, you can submit a 1099-G form inquiry through our Virtual Agent found in the bottom right corner of the screen. Follow the prompts, then select “Claimant” and then “1099-G Form Inquiry”.
Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service has provided resources to help you navigate this issue. You will find detailed information on what steps you should take by accessing the following link: Employment Related Identity Theft | Internal Revenue Service
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How Do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Oklahoma
- Get answers to common questions about unemployment for those who have lost work due to COVID-19.
- You’ll need to file weekly claims and search for work to keep collecting unemployment benefits.
- Find out the weekly unemployment benefit limits in Oklahoma.
- Learn how to find and contact the Oklahoma unemployment agency.
- Find out how to appeal if your unemployment benefits claim is denied by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
What If I Forget To File My Weekly Certification
Weekly certifications must be filed within fourteen days of the week ending date to be considered timely. Weekly certifications which are filed untimely may not be paid.
Contact our Unemployment Service Center at if you encounter any problems when filing your weekly claim. Additionally, you may also visit one of our local Oklahoma Works offices to receive assistance.
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Where’s The Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Agency
Most applications for unemployment insurance benefits in Oklahoma can be filed online or by phone, so you donât need to go to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission offices in person. Oklahoma’s unemployment insurance agency website gives instructions on how to file an application for benefits. The coronavirus outbreak has led to a huge influx of unemployment applications across the nation, and some state websites have had trouble handling the increased traffic. Expect delays and be persistent.
If you prefer not to file online, you can find out about other ways to file by calling 800-555-1554 .
How Are Unemployment Benefits Calculated
The amount that an individual qualifies for is based on wages earned from covered employers during the base period. The base period is the first four of the previous five completed calendar quarters .
The weekly benefit amount is one twenty-third of the highest quarter of taxable wages in your base period, not to exceed the maximum weekly benefit amount allowed by Oklahoma law. Taxable wages are is a tax paid by your employer and is not taken from your paycheck. If monetarily eligible, the weekly benefit amount will not be less than $16.00 nor more than the maximum allowed by law. For 2021 the maximum weekly benefit amount is $461.00. For example, if your highest quarter of earnings during your base period is $14,000, you would divide this by 23, which would be $608.70. Since the maximum weekly benefit amount allowed by law for 2021 is $461, your weekly benefit amount will only be $461. Please note that this amount does not reflect any special programs that provide additional monetary benefits on top of the weekly benefit amount.
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What Information Is Needed To Apply For Unemployment
In order to complete your application, you’ll need the following information and documents.
- Social Security Number
- Name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Alien registration number and expiration date, if a non-citizen
- Oklahoma Driver’s License or state-issued ID card number
- Name and address of the company on your paycheck stub or W-2 form
- Employment start and end date
- Wages earned and how you were paid
- Form SF8 or SF 50 if employed by the Federal government in the last 18 months
- DD Form 214 for military service in the previous 18 months
Rules Regarding Partial Unemployment In Oklahoma
Although the state of Oklahoma used to run an unemployment program specifically for partial unemploymentsuch as full-time workers who had their hours reducedthis program is no longer in operation. However, individuals dealing with partial unemployment can still file an unemployment claim through the states main unemployment program. After reviewing the application, the unemployment office will issue partial payments to approved applicants, supplementing their lost income to offer short-term financial relief. In the state of Oklahoma, full-time employment is defined as at least 32 hours per week.
While unemployment can be a scary prospect for any working-age adult, the safety net offered by unemployment benefits can give you much-needed financial support as you seek out new employment. Act fast after a loss of income to start receiving these benefits directly into your bank account.
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