As the economy continues to struggle, more and more of Oklahoma’s working class are finding themselves without jobs.  If you are in this boat, you are not alone; the Oklahoma Unemployment rate is 4.9 %.  That means that nearly 1 out of every 20 adults in Oklahoma is unemployed.  But don’t lose heart, there are programs that can help keep you going while you look for work.  One such program is Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance.

Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

The purpose of this blog is to inform you about Oklahoma Unemployment benefits and how to access them.  If you would like more free tips and updates as they become available, please sign up at the right.

Eligibility Requirements for Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for Oklahoma Unemployment benefits, you must be unemployed at the time of filing or working less than full-time and earning wages less than your weekly benefit amount. You must have a minimum of $1500 in covered wages in your base period and your total base period wages must be 1½ times your high quarter wages. If you are not a citizen, you must present evidence to establish you were lawfully admitted to the United States during the period of your employment.

Also, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own.  For instance, if you quit your job or were fired due to misconduct, you may be disqualified to receive Oklahoma Unemployment benefits.  If you are denied, you have the option of filing an appeal

Applying for Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits

You can apply for Oklahoma Unemployment benefits by:

1)       Telephone, by calling 1-800-555-1554, or if you live in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, 405-525-1500.   Claims may be filed by telephone only between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Friday (except for State holidays); or

2)      The Internet, at https://unemployment.state.ok.us/.

You should have the following information available when applying:

1)     Your Social Security Number;

2)     The name and address and dates of work for your last employer;

3)     A copy of your DD-214 (member 4), if you are a veteran who separated from the armed forces in the past 18 months;

4)     A copy of your SF-8 or SF-50 if you were a federal civilian employee in the same period of time; and/or

5)     The name(s) and address(es) of your of all out-of-state employers you’ve had in the last 18 months, if any.

Receiving Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits

If you are approved for Oklahoma Unemployment benefits, you may receive the lesser of:

1)      26 times your weekly benefit amount;

2)      $8900, effective 1/1/2009 through 12/31/2009; or

3)      50% of your wages earned during your base period.

The maximum benefit amount is the amount that you may receive in a year, though they may be exhausted before twelve months.

Please sign up at the right to receive free updates and tips on how to survive this tough economic time as well as receive updates and news regarding Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits.  Good luck!

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Unemployment