Visit our unemployment portal to file an initial unemployment claim, file a weekly certification, verify your identity, check the status of a claim, or manage an open claim.
- Unemployment Benefits
Steps to Apply for Unemployment
Unemployment Insurance (UI) helps eligible workers who have lost their job, or are on reduced hours, by providing temporary supplemental income. If you meet the below criteria, you may apply for benefits.
- You are unemployed through no fault of your own
- You are able and available to work
- You must have earned a minimum of $1,500 during your base period (the first four of the previous five completed calendar quarters).
Since Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an insurance paid by Oklahoma employers, it is not available for self-employed, contract, or gig workers.
In order to complete your application, you'll need the following information and documents.
- Social Security Number
- Name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Alien registration number and expiration date, if a non-citizen
- Oklahoma Driver's License or state-issued ID card number
- Name and address of the company on your paycheck stub or W-2 form
- Employment start and end date
- Wages earned and how you were paid (hourly, weekly, monthly)
- Form SF8 or SF 50 if employed by the Federal government in the last 18 months
- DD Form 214 for military service in the previous 18 months
- Create an account on ui.ok.gov. Be sure to complete the process to connect your social security number to your account.
- Login to your account and follow the link to start a Traditional Unemployment Compensation application.
- To progress through the application, use the next and back buttons in the application itself. Using the 'Back' button in your browser will lose your progress.
- Completing the application can take up to an hour based on your individual requirements.
- Closing the application window before completion will require you to start over.
- Once you have completed your application, you will receive a letter informing you of the determination on your claim.
- Verify your identity online at UI.ok.gov, or by visiting a local Oklahoma Works office. Please note that you will need 2 forms of ID when verifying in-person.
- For assistance verifying online, check out our best practices video.
- Create an OKJobMatch account within seven (7) days of your initial file.
- Please note that OKJobMatch no longer supports Internet Explorer.
- Be able and available to seek and accept suitable work. This includes performing two (2) work search efforts each week benefits are claimed.
- Keep a record of these work searches for two (2) years for auditing purposes by using our Work Search Form (view an example of a completed form).
- Job searches can be done through okjobmatch.com, as well as other websites such as Indeed.com or LinkedIn.com
- File weekly certifications on UI.ok.gov for every week you are unemployed. Weekly certifications are necessary to receive benefits, and become available the Sunday after a week has completed.
Your benefits will paid to you on an Unemployment Insurance debit card. The card will be issued to you at the time your first eligible week processes; although, keep in mind your first week is your waiting period and no benefits will be paid that week. It may take 1-2 weeks to receive your card. Do not throw the debit card away, as you will need it to retrieve funds or set up a bank transfer to put the funds in your personal bank.
If you have received unemployment benefits in the past three (3) years, you will have to use your existing card or request a new one.
For more information on your debit card visit www.goprogram.com.
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Report & Prevent Fraud
As part of our ongoing efforts to mitigate fraud, OESC has become aware that some claimants have received letters in the mail from scammers posing as the agency. These scam efforts are similar to those that individuals may have encountered online or over the phone. We encourage people who have received correspondence that seems suspicious to report it to OESC so our team can investigate the origin. If you believe you have been contacted by a scammer claiming to be OESC, whether through the mail, phone or online, it is advised to not provide any personal or claim information until you have contacted OESC directly and independently of that correspondence.
Anyone with questions about communications they have received that claim to be from OESC can confirm if this is fraudulent by speaking with a representative by calling (405) 525-1500 or visiting one of our Oklahoma Works offices located throughout the state.
If you suspect fraudulent actions have been done in your name or if you receive a debit card, a letter with claim information, or any indication that someone may have fraudulently filed a claim in your name, please complete our online fraud form. If you are still working, you should contact the personnel department at your place of employment.
If you believe your unemployment debit card has been fraudulently acted on, please contact our card vendor Conduent at 866-320-8699 or visit www.goprogram.com.
