Holiday Inn Express & Suites
The new Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 310 E. Archer St. in the Tulsa Arts District, opened Jan. 22. The $16 million project, a collaboration of Promise Hotels and Ross Group, has 115 guest rooms, including 18 suites. The five-story hotel will also feature an indoor heated pool, fitness center and business center, a hot breakfast and Keurig coffee makers in each room.
Read more about the downtownhotel.
Actions To End Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Challenged
By: Lionel Ramos Oklahoma WatchJuly 19, 2021
Business owners and managers, especially those in the hospitality services sector, report continuing challenges getting people to take jobs, despite actions taken by some states, including Oklahoma, designed to encourage those affected by the pandemic to return to work.
Despite actions taken by some states, including Oklahoma, to end supplemental unemployment benefits to encourage people to return to work actions that have been challenged in court business owners, especially those in the service industry, report they still have former employees on unemployment and are having a hard time finding workers to fill vacant positions.
Thats keeping them from opening completely, and in some cases preventing businesses from opening at all.
David Riesenburg owns Oklahoma Citys Belle Isle Restaurant and Brewery.
In March 2020, the restaurant closed in response to a mandate restricting in-door gatherings. Upon reopening for curbside and take-out services, Riesenburg allowed his employees to choose if they wanted to work or not. Whether it was because they feared the virus or they werent getting enough hours due to reduced business, the restaurant has been severely understaffed since.
Riesenburg said he still has former employees on unemployment and wishes they would return to work. Without the extra benefits, he thinks they just might.
What Is Included In Caa
The Continued Assistance Act included an extension for PEUC and PUA, as well as a new round of FPUC benefits.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation has both been extended up to 11 weeks, and were available between 12/27/20 and 3/13/21.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation was also included in this legislation which provided an additional $300 weekly federal benefit for all claim types for up to 11 weeks between 12/27/20 and 3/13/21.
This legislation also included a new program called “Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation” which adds;an additional $100 weekly federal benefit for “mixed earners” that are UI claimants who received at least $5,000 in wages from a side gig or business. OESC will post additional FAQs when more information is available for this program.
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Kayleigh Mcenany Is Gaslighting America
States that have terminated pandemic unemployment benefits early can restart the programs, but there may be a break in payments for some laid-off Americans, the Biden administration said Monday.
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These 30 States Will Get $300 A Week In Extended Unemployment Benefits
The past few months have been challenging for millions of Americans as the pandemic wages on. Thousands have lost their jobs and have been relying on unemployment checks to be able to keep food on the table and pay their bills. For many, the amount given each week is barely enough if it is to cover those costs and people are struggling. But there may be some help on the way with a new lost wages assistance program.
According to CNBC, 30 states have been approved to receive federal funding in a new program called lost wages assistance program. The plan was created through an executive measure signed on August 8, directing federal disaster-relief to unemployment workers.
Workers who are eligible for the aid will receive an additional $300 a week, on top of their current unemployment benefits, which was approved to help cover workers following the end of the CARES Act, which had been available from March through July.
For workers to be eligible for the additional lost wages assistance program, they have to take an extra step to self-certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to the pandemic. Workers can do this through their online portals, and theres no need to apply separately to the new program.
If you live in Kentucky, West Virginia, or Montana, officials have approved an additional $100 in the program from their federal coronavirus relief fund, for a total of $400 a week per worker, though other states may follow suit.
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Are You In Line For A Payout
MORE than half of US states have either already withdrawn from the federal aid program or plan to.
Whether you’re due cash or not depends on the state you live in, and whether lawsuits have been successful.
States that have brought back the benefits after lawsuits
- Indiana
All states that have ended or plan to end the benefits early
- Missouri, Iowa, Mississippi and Alaska
- Indiana, Alabama, Nebraska, West Virginia, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Wyoming
- Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas, South Carolina and South Dakota
- Montana and Oklahoma
- Arizona
- Louisiana
Indiana initially appealed the decision but the request was rejected, and the state began paying the $300 weekly benefits earlier this month.
The payments are also retroactive to the week ending June 26, which is one week after it axed the support on June 19.
In Maryland, a judge recently also ordered the state to bring back the benefits.
While the governor’s office said it “fundamentally disagreed” with the order, it added it won’t appeal the ruling, reports CBS Baltimore.
If you’re already claiming unemployment benefits, you’ll get the extra $300 a week automatically.
Meanwhile, similar lawsuits in Arkansas, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas are still pending, of which Ohio is expecting a decision within days.
The cut in aid by the states affects Americans who’ve been receiving $300 extra a week in unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
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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
Fema Approves Oklahomas Application For Extended Unemployment Insurance
Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Oklahomas application to provide unemployed Oklahomans with an additional $300 per week in benefits under the Lost Wages Assistance program, the governors office said Wednesday.
“I am thankful for the teams at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management for working effectively with FEMA to ensure our application quickly received a stamp of approval,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt in a press release. “I look forward to working with OESC to make sure the additional $300 in weekly benefits are distributed efficiently and on target to help Oklahomans as they continue working to find secure employment.”
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Mark Gower said he appreciated the quick turnaround from FEMA in response to the states request to implement the Lost Wages Assistance program.
The ninth state to be approved for the program, Oklahoma will begin the process of implementing LWA immediately.
The new assistance will provide eligible claimants with additional benefits starting with weeks beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2020 and ending no later than Dec. 27, 2020.
In order to qualify for LWA benefits, Oklahomans will be required to provide proof they are unemployed or partially unemployed as a result of COVID-19, and the State must confirm that the individual is receiving at least $100 of underlying unemployment benefits from OESC.;
Cox Media Group
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How Long Will The $300 Unemployment Benefits Last
The $300 federal benefits will continue through Sept. 6, 2021. Though the way Congress is printing money for COVID-19 relief, another extension is not out of the question.
Ironically, Sept. 6 is Labor Day. Eighteen months after COVID-19 started wreaking havoc on the U.S. labor force, will it be time to get back to work?
Judge Orders Oklahoma To Resume Paying $300 Weekly Federal Unemployment Benefits
An Oklahoma judge has ordered the state to restore the $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits that Republican Governor Kevin Stitt discontinued in late June.
Oklahoma County District Judge Anthony Bonner Jr. on Friday granted a preliminary injunction filed by state citizens against Stitt in a lawsuit seeking to reinstate the extended unemployment payments, according to The Oklahoman. The judge also ordered the state to immediately instruct U.S. Labor Department officials to resume administering the funds to eligible jobless individuals.
At least 17 Republican governors terminated federal pandemic-related unemployment assistance provided for individuals under the CARES Act, which was later extended through President Joe Biden‘s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, out of fear it could discourage people from returning to work.
The Century Foundation estimated that their decisions would cost 4.1 million Americans up to $10.8 billion in unemployment benefits.
Citing workforce shortages, Stitt said in May that the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits would end June 26 amid a decline in coronavirus cases. On the same day, he announced a new executive order that would provide people with a $1,200 back-to-work incentive.
Video: Judge orders state to restore extra unemployment benefits
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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
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Back To Work Initiative
The Back to Work Initiative ends September 4, 2021. Applicants who are waiting on pay stubs to prove the completion of their six consecutive weeks of employment during the May 17, 2021 – September 4, 2021 timeframe may submit their applications until September 18, 2021.
Additional information and guidance about the $1,200 Back to Work Initiative application can be found on our;Frequently Asked Questions;page.
Stimulus Latest: Judge Orders State Of Oklahoma To Keep Paying $300 Unemployment Benefits That Stopped This Summer
- 17:04 ET, Aug 9 2021
A JUDGE has ordered the state of Oklahoma to resume paying federal expanded pandemic unemployment benefits that its GOP governor discontinued in late June.
District Judge Anthony Bonner granted a preliminary injunction on Friday prohibiting Oklahoma from withdrawing from the program until he issues a final order in the case, or until the program expires in September.
Oklahoma shall notify the U.S. Department of Labor immediately to reinstate and administer the federal unemployment benefit programs, Bonner wrote.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, discontinued the coronavirus-related benefits in June, arguing, along with a cohort of other GOP-led states, that the $300 supplemental payments were discouraging residents from returning to the workforce.
Democrats and economists fiercely pushed back against such claims, with even President Joe Biden insisting such remarks “underestimated” the will of the American people.
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The Former Downtown Ymca: Y Lofts
The former downtown YMCA at Sixth Street and Denver Avenue has undergone a;$9 million transformation into a 79-unit apartment building. Historical features such as hardwood from the Ys racquetball and basketball courts, white porcelain drinking fountains, even basketball goals and a scoreboard have been incorporated into the units. Leasing began earlier this year.
Read more;about the latest news on the apartments in the old YMCA building.
Move Faces Legal Challenge
Oklahoma is one of 25 states that ended federal supplements to unemployment payouts. In Indiana, where workers sued Gov. Eric Holcomb for the move, a state court ruled that Holcombs decision was in violation of Indiana law and said it caused irreparable harm to Hoosiers by taking away their ability to pay for necessities such as rent, utilities, groceries and basic medical care.
Indiana appealed and requested that a new judge hear the case; the state argues that reinstatement of the benefits will prolong the economic recovery and harm people more in the long run.
Now, unemployed Oklahomans face the same fate folks in Indiana are fighting to avoid lawsuit and all.
On July 7, Tulsa County resident Ronda Kay Owens petitioned for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief against Zumwalt in her official capacity as the executive director of the OESC. In the petition, Owens attorney, Chadwick Smith, argues her position on three grounds:
The OESC is an independent state agency created by the Legislature. Nowhere in the Oklahoma Employment Security Act is the governor granted policy, administrative, or enforcement authority over the commission or Zumwalt.
The commission exists to provide unemployment benefits to Oklahomans who qualify, and help them find jobs, not to work as a vehicle to enforce political policy aimed at economic recovery or build a business-friendly environment in the state.
The case will be heard July 20 by District Court Judge William J. Musseman.
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How Have Unemployment Benefits Changed
The coronavirus pandemic and unprecedented public health measures implemented in most states have had a massive impact on the United States economy. Record numbers of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic began. If you are unemployed, you will likely want to know what benefits and support are available to you until you find your next job.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law, extending sections of previous pandemic-related plans Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021) and adding some new provisions. The Act provides additional benefits for workers affected by the pandemic.
Beginning in early May 2021, some states announced that they would opt out of pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs early.;;
Each state has its own unemployment insurance system and will be responsible for administering both state benefits and supplemental federal benefits. We are here to help you understand how the Act affects the benefits you can claim.
There Is An Issue On My Claim What Does That Mean
If there is an ‘issue’ on your claim that is preventing payment, OESC must;investigate the issue and determine whether you are eligible to receive benefits. That process can take varying amounts of time to resolve depending on the issue. If you are approved, payments will be backdated to the date the claim was filed.;
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Which States Have Not Begun Paying Out The New Federal Unemployments Benefits
Arkansas and Iowa are working to distribute the payments. Kansas and Oklahoma are expected to distribute payments this week.
Colorados Department of Labor and Employment is rolling out the benefits in phases, and is expected to start late this coming week with the $300 weekly bonus going to all those on unemployment. It will also allow non-traditional workers who have not yet exhausted their federal pandemic relief to reopen their claim.
Ohio said it is still processing payments for the additional 11 weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance;and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation due to eligible residents, noting this week, We are working as quickly as possible to implement FPUC for the additional 11 weeks of PUA and PEUC. All claimants will receive all benefits for which they are eligible.;
Pennsylvania just announced that the;Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program extension will be available starting Sunday, January 24.
