13 more weeks of state benefits available for some
OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 125,000 Oklahomans were out of work in mid-July, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
The number of unadjusted, initial claims for the week that ended July 18 totaled 8,579, and the unadjusted number of continuing claims totaled 118,589, OESC records reflect. The number of continuing claims the previous week was reported to be almost 132,000.
Continuing assistance claims peaked at 178,974 the week of June 20.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically in the past three months: from 14.7% in April to 12.5% in May, to 6.6% in June. In comparison, though, the jobless rate in the Sooner State in June 2019 was 3.2%.
“This extraordinary time” has triggered the State Extended Benefits(SEB) program “for the first time in almost 40 years,” OESC Interim Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt announced Monday. SEB provides up to 13 weeks
of unemployment benefits to regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants.
The COVID-19 pandemic “has caused continued unemployment for many Oklahomans above and beyond what is traditionally outlined by the Oklahoma Employment Security Act,” Zumwalt said.
In order to receive the additional benefits, individuals must exhaust regular UI and the federal CARES Act PEUC benefits, she said. In addition, State Extended Benefits are available only to individuals who were eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance claims. Pandemic Unemployment Assistant claimants are not eligible for SEB, Zumwalt said.
“The state’s Unemployment Trust Fund, paid into by Oklahoma employers, pays benefits to individuals receiving regular UI benefits,” Zumwalt noted. “Because of this, SEB will not be available for self-employed, contract, and gig workers utilizing the federally funded PUA program,” she explained.
The State Extended Benefits maximum entitlement is based on the lesser of three calculations, so some individuals may not receive 13 weeks of benefits, Zumwalt cautioned.
Initial unemployment claims in Oklahoma have fallen dramatically since the record 60,534 new claims were filed the week of April 4, but layoffs continue. Announcements reported last week showed that nearly 500 workers in Oklahoma will be idled soon.
More than 100 workers at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City will lose their jobs at the end of August because some of the airport restaurants are closing.
Chart Industries, which is engaged in the energy and industrial gas markets, is shutting down operations at its plant in Tulsa. Notices filed with the state show that 180 workers will be affected; 47 have been laid off already and 133 others will be laid off Sept. 18.
In addition, 67 employees will lose their jobs after a Walmart store in Jay closes to the public on Aug. 21.
Briggs & Stratton, the well-known manufacturer of lawn mower engines, declared bankruptcy on July 20. Chuck E. Cheese, the kids’ pizza chain, declared bankruptcy in late June. Other majors that have declared bankruptcy include Hertz, the rental car behemoth; Gold’s Gym; and GNC, the vitamin retailer.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that more than 30 million Americans received financial assistance through various unemployment-related benefit programs during the week that ended July 4.