Oklahomans Now Filing For Unemployment Benefits Related to Recent Ice Storm

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (December 19, 2007) – Oklahomans who missed work due to last week’s historic ice storm can file for unemployment benefits for the week. To apply for unemployment insurance (UI) for the week of December 9, 2008, through December 15, 2008, individuals must call 1-800-555-1554 between 8 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. during the normal work week. Once the automated phone system completes the first part of the UI claim, an agent will help the individual with filing the claim. Applicants should tell the agent that they were unemployed due to the ice storm. Oklahoma law requires a one-week waiting period on all initial UI claims.

By filing a claim for benefits at this time, Oklahomans can possibly meet waiting period requirements, clearing the way for any future periods of unemployment in the next one-year period. All Oklahoma UI benefit requirements still apply.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance has also been requested from the federal government for the ice storm. If the request is approved, further information will be forthcoming.

For more information on Unemployment Insurance, please visit www.oesc.state.ok.us and click on the “Unemployment Benefits” link in the left-hand menu. 

About OESC – The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is Oklahoma’s state workforce agency. OESC provides unemployment compensation to support unemployed workers and their communities; matches jobs and workers to benefit local labor markets; refers workers to training opportunities; and gathers, analyzes and disseminates information about the labor force to improve local economic decisions.

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Source: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission website