How to Access Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits

Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Unemployment insurance benefits in Oklahoma provide assistance that helps eligible unemployed Oklahomans stay financially afloat while they search for new jobs.

Oklahoma residents who become unemployed through no fault of their own are encouraged to apply for Oklahoma unemployment assistance for extra benefits. The UI benefits program in Oklahoma is administered by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Oklahoma Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Benefits

While your ultimate eligibility can’t be determined until you file an initial claim for Oklahoma unemployment benefits, a claimant is likely to be approved for unemployment insurance benefits if she can show documentation of the following eligibility requirements:

• The claimant is currently unemployed through no fault of her own
• The claimant is able to work
• The claimant is available to accept work when offered and is registered on OKJobMatch.com
• The claimant has earned a minimum of $1,500 in income during the base period for review
• The claimant works for a covered employer who has paid unemployment insurance taxes

Benefit Payments and Duration

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 you’ve 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 unemployment claim application.

You will need to have additional 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, you’ll need to submit copies of your Form SF8 or SF 50 or your DD Form 214, respectively.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

Once your initial claim is approved, you’ll need to submit a weekly claim specific to each week you’d like to collect benefits – you can do so through the account you created at ui.ok.gov.

You are required to complete at least two job searches each week. As part of each weekly claim, you must answer questions about your continued availability to work, any wages you earned during the previous week, and what you did to complete your required job search.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you are unhappy with a decision, you are welcome to file an appeal. To do so, you may submit a request for appeal in person, by mail, fax, telephone, or email.

Your request should include your name, Social Security number, phone number, date of determination, description of what you are appealing, and a detailed statement of why you disagree with the decision regarding your claim.

All pertinent contact information you need for submitting your request for appeal will be included in your letter of determination.

Reporting Fraud

Investigating and prosecuting cases of fraudulent claims helps the state of Oklahoma ensure that it is appropriately using taxpayer dollars and providing UI benefits to those who truly need them. Unfortunately, cases of UI benefits fraud and scams designed to take advantage of benefits recipients have risen to an unprecedented level.

If you suspect someone of committing unemployment benefits fraud, you make a report online using the state of Oklahoma’s online reporting form. The more detail you can provide about the potentially fraudulent situation, the more likely the investigation is to be successful.

Oklahoma Unemployment Office Locations