OESC Explains How To Get Unemployment Help

Thursday, people met face to face with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission at Expo Square to try to resolve problems with their unemployment claims.

Instead of waiting in line for a ticket to met with someone face to face at Tulsa's Expo Square, OESC said you might want to go to one of their 28 regional offices across Oklahoma. 

Cody Cox works at the Idabel regional office and said the volume of claims they've seen average around 500 each week.

 "That's a virtual, that's a phone, and that's a walk in. In the past especially when the unemployment rate was so low we're talking about probably would have 200 a week," said Cox. 

Cox said those calls come form Oklahomans across the state looking for help. OESC Interim Director Shelley Zumwalt said the regional offices are a good option for those not able to go to an in person event. 

"Especially ones in the smaller communities. They're going to have less volume and more time to answer those phones and you can get help for almost all of those issues over the phone in those smaller offices as well," said Zumwalt. 

Zumwalt said you an go to any of the offices, no matter where you live. She said to call ahead to make sure they can handle your specific problem. Zumwalt said they can also help with re-employment at the regional offices. 

"I think that's what you're seeing by our six point six unemployment rate which is fifth in the nation. We're doing that we're getting people back to either in their industry that they left from during the pandemic or getting them training in a new industry so they can be successful there," said Zumwalt. 

"Yes, the economy is suffering and a lot of people aren't hiring, but a lot of people are. That's the important thing is making that connection. It's that personalized service for that particular individual and what they need," said Cox. ​

You can get to the Regional Office Finder here.