OESC To Reinstate Work Search, Work Registration & Waiting Period Requirements

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is changing up its requirements this weekend for work search and waiting periods as Oklahomans seek unemployment benefits. 

Its important to note the waiting period was just for new claims. However, the waived requirements will now end on Saturday.

The OESC says they wanted to do it now instead of waiting for the holidays.

At the start of the pandemic, initial requirements for work registration, work search for ongoing claims and a waiting period of one week for new claims were waived due to the coronavirus.

People will now be required to register on Okjobmatch.com or the registration system in their registered state, and complete two job searches a week to receive unemployment benefits.

These requirements were waived due to an extremely large influx of claims coming into the OESC during the early months of the pandemic.

The commission says these systems are put in place to protect businesses from possible cases of fraud.

"We announced 5.3 percent unemployment yesterday, and we ranked 9th in the nation. There are jobs available especially for seasonal employment. So I think it is a good time for people to be going through those exercises to see what's out there," said OESC Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt.

There are exceptions to both the work search and waiting period requirements that are being reinstated. The following exceptions are included:

1. A temporary layoff with a definite return to work date.
2. Member of a certified labor or trade union.
3. In an approved training program such as Trade Adjustment Assistance.
4. Self-employed, contract, or gig worker on PUA.

People who are currently medically compromised and are unable to return to the workforce due to the pandemic will also see exemptions as well.