Gov. Stitt Announces $1,200 Return-To-Work Incentive

Gov. Kevin Stitt and state officials announced a return-to-work incentive Monday.

Oklahomans who are on unemployment will receive $1,200 for going back to work.

The incentive program will be available to the first 20,000 people who apply. Governor Stitt’s executive order directs the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to end all federal benefits including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) on June 26th.

OESC Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt said that she hopes the incentive comes as a welcome relief to both employees and employers.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, it is important we continue to focus on rebuilding our economy, which means we need more Oklahomans to participate in our state's workforce," said Shelley Zumwalt, OESC Executive Director. "With today's announcement, which includes a strong return-to-work incentive program, OESC is placing top priority on helping claimants find stable employment or retraining opportunities. We have 28 offices across the state ready to help all of the state's citizens who are eligible to work but currently are not working and the hundreds of employers who are struggling to find employees.

According to OESC, Starting June 27 any claims filed after June 26, 2021, must be for benefits weeks prior to June 27, 2021. Any claims that are currently in the adjudication, appeals, or in the Board of Review process, that are filed for weeks prior to June 27, 2021, will still receive benefits for those weeks if their claim is approved. Claimants who are currently receiving Traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits will continue to receive weekly benefits paid out of the UI Trust Fund, but like other programs will not receive FPUC or the additional $300 weekly federal benefit.

For More Information CLICK HERE

This is a developing story.