Oklahoma Unemployment Numbers Quadruple Pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19) Record

Oklahoma’s most recent unemployment numbers shattered the all-time record set just the week before.

According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, 44,970 Oklahomans filed for unemployment last week, roughly equivalent to the population of Stillwater.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the record was 9,778 claims in one week set in 1991.

“To call this unprecedented doesn’t begin to explain the enormity of the impact COVID-19 related job losses are having on our state and our economy,” OESC Executive Director Robin Roberson said. 

New federal guidelines enacted April 1 expanded who is able to receive unemployment compensation and the benefits they are eligible to receive.

“Anything that has to do with being quarantined or isolated due to COVID-19, being advised by a healthcare profession that, hey you need to quarantine… you would be able to get paid at your regular rate of pay,” employment lawyer Katherine Mazaheri said.

The Federal CARES Act also expanded unemployment benefits to people out of work to care for others.

“Taking care of someone else or having to take care of your child because of childcare, you may be entitled to two-thirds of your regular rate of pay,” Mazaheri said.

Oklahoma City employment lawyer Rand Eddy said people whose employer is still open have to make the personal decision of whether they are putting their family at risk by continuing to work.

“If someone does feel that they cannot continue to work without imposing risk upon their families I encourage those individuals not to resign,” Eddy said. “Communicate with your employer and if your employer terminates you, you're going to be eligible.”

The federal government is now offering an additional $600 per week and extending benefits from 26 to 39 weeks.

“Keep that in mind, it's not your fault if you've been fired under this set of circumstances due to what we're all experiencing right now,” Eddy said. “All you're doing is protecting your family and just trying to get through this process.”

Click here to access the state unemployment website.