How Unemployment Works In Oklahoma
And How To Get Unemployment in Oklahoma
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Oklahoma Unemployment Eligibility Requirements
The OESC determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You must meet three eligibility requirements to collect unemployment benefits in Oklahoma:
- You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed.
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Oklahoma law.
- You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.
How To File For Unemployment Benefits In Oklahoma
The spread of the COVID-19 virus has led to a surge in furloughs and layoffs all across the country as restaurants, theaters and other venues have been ordered to close in many states. As consumers hunker down in their homes following the advice of public-health officials, many people are wondering how to file for unemployment benefits in Oklahoma.
Today, the Tulsa World reported that the states unemployment-insurance claims have skyrocketed, with 5,986 claims coming in between March 16 and March 18. Only 1,836 claims were submitted the entire previous week.
On Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt amended his emergency declaration executive order to waive the usual week-long waiting period required before applicants can receive benefits. Stitt said the waiver will last as long as the declared state of emergency related to COVID-19 is in effect.
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Notification Of Deposits By Phone Or Email
With your Oklahoma Way2Go Debit card, you may choose to receive automatic notifications anytime your unemployment benefits are deposited.
However, to set this up, you can call the phone number above or log in to your Way2Go account to activate notifications.
Once you have activated this notification process, each time a deposit is posted to your card account, you will receive a phone or email notification.
Are You Out Of Work Through No Fault Of Your Own
You must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits in Oklahoma.
Collecting Unemployment After a Layoff
If you were laid off, lost your job in a reduction-in-force , or got “downsized” for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.
Collecting Unemployment After Being Fired
If you were fired because you lacked the skills to perform the job or simply weren’t a good fit, you won’t necessarily be barred from receiving benefits. If, however, you were fired for misconduct, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits. Under Oklahoma law, misconduct includes dishonesty, violating a safety rule, willfully violating or neglecting your job duties, and unexplained absences.
Collecting Unemployment After Quitting
If you quit your job, you won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits unless you had good cause. In general, good cause means that your reason for leaving the position was job-related and was so compelling that you had no other choice than to leave. For example, if you left your job because of sexual harassment that your employer refused to stop, you may be able to collect benefits. You will also likely be eligible if you were forced to work in unsafe conditions or your employer failed to pay you fully for your work.
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S To Apply For Unemployment
1. Make sure you are eligible
Unemployment Insurance helps eligible workers who have lost their job, or are on reduced hours, by providing temporary supplemental income. If you meet the below criteria, you may apply for benefits.
- You are unemployed through no fault of your own
- You are able and available to work
- You must have earned a minimum of $1,500 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.
2. Prepare all your information ahead of time
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
3. Complete your initial application
4. After you file your claim
If You Are Fired Due To False Allegations You Can Qualify For Unemployment In Oklahoma
There were false accusations against our client about something that happened outside of work and an employee decided to take it inside the work to HR, which should’ve never happened. There was also lying on behalf of the employer’s part when it came down to firing our client. This client deserved his benefits. He was wrongfully terminated on so many levels. So the Oklahoma Unemployment Expert decided to fight for him. Read more »
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How To File An Initial Claim Or An Ongoing Claim For Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance
Before you can apply for Oklahoma unemployment, you will need to gather the following information to be used in your claim:
- Name, including any prior married or maiden names
- Social Security number
- Alien registration number and expiration date if you are a non-citizen
- DD Form 214 if you served in the military in the last 18 months
- Form SF 8 or SF 50 if you were employed by the federal government in the last 18 months
- Oklahoma drivers license or ID card, if applicable
- Your last employer information, including the name of the company as it appears on your paycheck stub or W-2 form, your start and end date, the amount of wages you earned and how you were paid
- Employment history for the past 18 months including the name of the company as it appears on your pay check stub or W-2 form, your start and end date, the amount of wages you earned and how you were paid .
You can file a new Oklahoma unemployment claim or make a claim on an existing claim two possible ways:
Online through the Oklahoma unemployment website, www.unemployment.ok.gov
Through the Oklahoma unemployment number at 525-1500 inside the Oklahoma City area or 555-1554 outside the Oklahoma City area.
The online system is called the Oklahoma Network Initial Claims . It will allow you to perform a variety of actions ranging from filing a claim to updating contact information and getting information regarding electronic payment options.
If You Have Any Questions Always Consult An Unemployment Attorney
Video Transcribed: Im an independent contractor, or I drive for Uber or Lyft, or Im a musician and I do gig work or Im a childcare worker at home and business has really dropped off since the shut down on March 14th. Are Independent Contractors Eligible for Unemployment Benefits? Traditionally, unemployment was designed to help those who work for employers who paid the unemployment insurance premiums every quarter.
But if youre self employed, you dont pay that premium. Congress signed a bill called The Cares Act, that permitted independent contractors, gig workers, self-employed people to file for unemployment benefits and thats going to come through the federal government.
Each state is given and amount of money to pay independent contractors, unemployment benefits. You have to go to the Oklahoma employment security commission website, ui.ok.gov, and there is a section for you to file for unemployment if youre independent contractor.
Youre going to have to present proof of your income. That could be last years tax return or 2018 tax return, if you have not filed yet with an explanation that you have not filed 2019 yet, and you are eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
Traditionally, if you filed for traditional unemployment benefits as an independent contractor, you had to have been denied first, thats because the employment security commission was unable to find your wages.
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Understanding The Unemployment Registration Process In Oklahoma
To file for unemployment in OK, the former worker needs to select a four-digit Personal Identification Number . The PIN is the claimants personal identification number and electronic signature and must be kept private. The same PIN is also needed for the weekly benefit claim or any inquires about the claim. The PIN can be changed online or by contacting the Unemployment Service Center.
Additionally, when a candidate has filed for an unemployment claim in Oklahoma, the UI beneficiary has the option of enrolling in direct deposit or using a debit card for benefit payments. To enroll in direct deposit, the claimant must wait until the next business day after he or she has filed a claim and then sign up by telephone. If they do not do this, their payments will be made by debit card which will be mailed out once the applicant is found eligible for payment. It normally takes 7 to 10 days to receive the card once it is mailed.
How Much Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Will I Be Paid
After you file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits, you will receive a Notice of Determination of Benefits in the mail. This document will show what you are eligible to receive as well as other important information about your claim.
You will be assigned a Weekly Benefit Amount . The Oklahoma unemployment amount is generally 1/23rd of the highest quarter of taxable wages in your Base Period. It may not exceed the maximum amount allowed by Oklahoma law and it will not be less than $16, the minimum under Oklahoma law. In 2016, the maximum benefit amount was $505.
As an example, if the wages in your highest quarter of taxable wages was $10,000, then you would divide that amount by 23 to give you a weekly Oklahoma unemployment amount of $435.
It is important to note that only wages from covered employment may be used to calculate your benefit. Some fields are not considered covered and may include some religious organizations, nonprofits, real estate or insurance commissions, or wages earned from agricultural labor, from a family member of as an elected official.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must provide documentation to prove that you are legally able to work in the United States. Wages must have been earned while you were in legal alien status.
Calendar quarters are defined as
- 1st quarter January through March
- 2nd quarter April through June
- 3rd quarter July through September
- 4th quarter October through December
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Complete The Initial Application:
Be sure to open an account and complete the process ui.ok.gov
Then log in to your account to create a traditional unemployment compensation application. Closing the window will make you start all over again in the application.
But application takes an hour or more due to the individual requirements.
After your application, a letter will be sent to you based on your claim determination.
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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Make Sure You Are Eligible:
Temporary income is made available through the Unemployment Insurance provides aid to eligible workers who lost their job.
Like initially mentioned, you meet the benefit criteria if
You are ready to work, your unemployment wasnt your fault, and you must be able to earn
$1,500 during the base period.
Option 1 Call Customer Service
You can call Oklahoma Way2Go at 1-866-320-8699 for assistance.
International callers should call 334-6616
Here are the customer service hours:
Oklahoma Way2Go Customer Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and handles calls related to:
- Reporting lost or stolen cards
- Balance inquiries
- Registering a complaint about a card issue
- Questions about card usage
- Questions about international card usage
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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.
About Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits Claim
How to claim unemployment benefits, registering for work, and continued eligibility for federal unemployment benefits in Oklahoma are all covered by rules. Claiming benefits for unemployment, the calculation of unemployment benefits, the limitations on benefits, and unemployment benefits and federal income taxes are some of the different features governed by these regulations.
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Can Unemployment Debit Cards Be Expedited
Yes. Way2Go debit cards can be expedited, but there is a fee for the additional mailing costs.
These will be deducted from the balance on the card.
To expedite your debit card, contact the Unemployment Service Center at 405-525-1500, your nearest Oklahoma Works office, or Way2Go card support at 866-320-8699.
Forgot Your Ok Way2go Card User Id
If you lost your Way to Go Card Oklahoma User ID we can help walk you through the steps on how to recover that information so you can log in to your FL Way2Go account.
How to recover lost Way2Go OK User ID
Follow these steps to recover your lost Way2Go Card Oklahoma User ID login information.
Once you are logged into your Oklahoma Way2Go Debit MasterCard account, you can:
- You can check your card balance online.
- Set up Direct Deposit
- Review transactions and any fees that might have been applied to your account.
- Manage your automatic alerts, including receiving email or text alerts when you get a deposit.
You can also set up alerts by calling 1-866-320-8699.
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Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed
Educational Help
Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.
Self-Employment Help
Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.
How Much Money Will I Receive In Unemployment Benefits
The amount you receive will be specific to how much you earned. OESC calculates your benefits by locating the amount you earned during the highest quarter of your base period and dividing that number by 23. For example, if you earned $7,000 during your highest quarter, your weekly benefit would be $304 . The maximum weekly benefit is $539.
You will be asked to choose between two payment options: direct deposit to your bank account or a preloaded debit card.
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Unemployment Oklahoma Minimum Earning Requirement
To determine eligibility for Oklahoma unemployment, your recent work history and earnings during a one-year base period look upon.
You need to be aware that the base period is the first four of the five-quarter calendar before you filed your benefits claim.
If you filed your claim in July 2021, for example, your base period would be from February 2020 through January 2021.
For you to gain the Oklahoma Benefits, you need to meet the requirements below
- You should earn $1,500 during the base period
- During the base period, you should earn 1.5 time your earnings in the highest paid a quarter of the year
Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Eligibility
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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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.
