OESC Waiving Some Unemployment Requirements Due To Winter Weather

Because of issues from the ice storm, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission announced they're waiving work registration and work search requirements for claimants this week.

"Connectivity issues, power issues, phone issues,” that I know many of you are having,” said Shelley Zumwalt, OESC Executive Director. “We’re going to go ahead and waive that this week."

The commission says the first time claimants will now start reporting work searches when they file their weekly claim on November 8. That's when people will be required once again to register on okjobmatch.com or the state registration system, and complete two job searches a week to receive unemployment benefits.

Those requirements were waived earlier this year when the pandemic hit and will now be reinstated next week.

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

This is a developing story.