Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance payments are $25 a week higher and can last up to 20 weeks longer under recent federal legislation. Additional income support may be available from Trade Readjustment Allowances (see below).

If you worked at a covered job, lost it through no fault of your own, and are actively seeking a new job, you probably are eligible for Unemployment Insurance. You can receive regular Unemployment Insurance for up to 26 weeks. If you’re still unemployed, you may be eligible for up to 20 additional weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Those emergency Unemployment Compensation claims must be filed by Dec. 31, 2009, and payments will end the week of May 31, 2010.

Your weekly unemployment benefits are determined by your previous earnings history. For claims filed through the end of 2009, you will receive an additional $25 per week under the February 2009 federal economic stimulus package. That temporary increase ends the week of June 30, 2010.

Filing a Claim

You can file a claim online at www.unemployment.ok.gov or by phone at 525-1500 in the Oklahoma City area or 1-800-555-1554 in the rest of the state. Online claims can be filed at any time. To file by phone, call between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Use the same phone numbers if you have questions about your claim. Telephone wait times, if any, are short. Mondays have the longest waits.

When you file your claim, you will need the following information:

  • Social Security number
  • Address and telephone number
  • Name, address and telephone number of last employer of 15 days or more
  • Date you started and date you were laid off
  • For direct deposit of your benefits, checking account routing number and account number (The alternative to direct deposit is receiving your benefits on an Oklahoma Debit MasterCard that can be used like any other debit card.)

Registering for Work

In addition, you must register for work with Oklahoma Job Link in order to receive Unemployment Insurance. To register, go to oklahomajoblink.com and click on Create a Job Seeker Account.

More information

Claimant Information, Oklahoma Economic Security Administration

UI Claimant FAQs, Oklahoma Economic Security Administration

Information for Workers Who Are Unemployed, Oklahoma Economic Security Administration

About Unemployment Insurance, U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration

Trade Readjustment Allowances

If you lost your job as a result of production moving offshore or competition from imports, you may be eligible for Trade Readjustment Allowances, including income support following your initial 26 weeks of Unemployment Insurance.

A large proportion of laid off workers are eligible for Trade Readjustment Allowances. That number will increase May 18, 2009, when workers at non-manufacturing companies become eligible under the federal economic stimulus package.

Income support for up to two years may be available if you’re in training or, in some cases, if you’re not in training because that would not be appropriate. For details, see this U.S. Department of Labor page on Trade Adjustment Assistance or check with your local Workforce Oklahoma center.

See the Trade Adjustment Assistance section below for training and other benefits.

Beware Unemployment Help on the Web

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has received reports from consumers about web sites that promise to provide – for a fee – unemployment-related services, such as assistance filling out unemployment paperwork.

Some sites may appear to be government sites, and some may ask for your Social Security number and other personal information. “Consumers should always be wary of providing their personal and financial data to unknown entities,” said Attorney General Drew Edmondson. “This is especially true of the Internet.”

Help is available at no cost through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and at Workforce Oklahoma centers across the state. Call OESC at 405-525-1500 in the Oklahoma City area or 1-800-555-1554 from all other areas.

Counterfeit Check Scam

Some Oklahomans have reported receiving counterfeit checks that simulated Oklahoma Employment Security Commission checks. The checks have been sent for purchase of merchandise, not as fake unemployment checks (which have been replaced with debit cards). You can check the validity of such checks by calling the OESC at 405-557-7271.

For more information, see this Oklahoma Employment Security Commission page on Unemployment Insurance.