Unemployed Oklahomans Hopeful For New Round Of Federal Aid

The new COVID-19 relief plan Congress just approved will provide an additional $300 of weekly federal unemployment aid, starting at the end of December.

That means there is hope for jobless Oklahomans, deciding between paying bills or buying Christmas gifts this year.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says the U.S. Department of Labor will be directing them on the next steps for this new funding.

This announcement comes just weeks after the OESC said they would be ending their part of the states extended benefit program.

For people like Tammy Gillette who lost her job at the start of the pandemic, that extra $300 from the federal government will help her make ends meet for now. 

She says her current benefits aren't enough, especially during Christmas.

"Relief. For families and people in Oklahoma," said Gillette. 

This new federal aid is planned to last until mid-March.