Frequently Asked Questions

You can update your contact information by visiting Unemployment.oesc.ok.gov, or by calling our Unemployment Service Center at 405-525-1500, or going to your nearest Oklahoma Works office.

There is an "issue" on my claim. What does that mean?

If there is an 'issue' on your claim that is preventing payment, OESC must investigate the issue and determine whether you are eligible to receive benefits. That process can take varying amounts of time to resolve depending on the issue. If you are approved, payments will be backdated to the date the claim was filed.

How do I stop or cancel my claim?

To stop your claim (for example, if you returned to work) simply discontinue filing weekly certifications. No additional payments will be issued. To cancel a submitted claim, please contact our Unemployment Service Center at 405-525-1500 or visit your nearest Oklahoma Works office.

What if I forget to file my weekly certification?

Weekly certifications must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the week ending date to be considered timely. Weekly certifications which are filed untimely may not be paid.

Contact our Unemployment Service Center at 405-525-1500 if you encounter any problems when filing your weekly claim. Additionally, you may also visit one of our local Oklahoma Works offices to receive assistance.

How do I update/change my PIN number?

To reset and establish a new PIN, contact our Unemployment Service Center at 405-525-1500 or visit your nearest Oklahoma Works office. For resetting your debit card PIN, please contact our card vendor Conduent at 866-320-8699.

What is a benefit year?

Your benefit year is the 52-week time period that your unemployment claim is considered active before you need to reapply. This starts when you first filed and were approved for unemployment benefits, and last for 52 weeks (one year) from when you were eligible. This does not necessarily mean you will be eligible for benefits all 52 weeks, which depends on your individual situation.

Who has to document their work search efforts?

Everyone with an active claim is required to conduct and keep a record of at least two work search efforts for each week they file for unemployment benefits. When filing weekly certifications, claimants will attest that they have completed and documented the required work searches. These records may be requested in the event of an audit.

The only individuals exempt from work searches are those who:

• are on a temporary layoff with a definite return-to-work date within 8 weeks of the last date worked
• are a member of a certified labor or trade union with a business agent or hiring hall
• are in an approved training program such as training provided through the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

What counts as a work search effort?

• Submit a resume or application to an employer by fax, email, mail, in-person, or online.
• Participate in an interview for a job. The interview may be in-person, over the phone, or any method determined by the employer. Contacting an employer to determine if any job openings exist does not count.
• Participate in reemployment services. These services include job-search workshops or any customized job readiness workshop. These workshops do not have to be presented by a state agency and will count as one work search contact in the week the workshop is attended.
• Register with a placement service of any professional organization to which the claimant is a member. This activity counts as one work search contact at the time of registration.
• Register with a placement service of any school from which you graduated. This activity counts as one work search contact at the time of registration.
• Take examinations for work with governmental agencies. This will count as one work search contact for each examination taken, provided they were for different jobs or different agencies.

Applying to different positions with the same company can count as separate work searches as long as you document the different jobs being applied for. Example: work search #1 at ABC Company, Customer Service Rep, job reference #1234 | Work search #2 at ABC Company, Receptionist, job reference #5678.

Work search efforts to the same employer for the same role or position may only be repeated every four (4) weeks. Claimants may search for different roles or positions with the same employer, as desired. If employer initiates a second interview and the claimant completes the interview, the second interview may be considered a work search effort for the claimant.

Work searches may be done through okjobmatch.com, as well as other websites such as Indeed.com or LinkedIn.com.

How do I document my work search efforts?

The best way to record work search efforts is by adding them to your OKJobMatch.com account. By adding your work searches here, you can keep your work registration and work searches all in one place, and you don’t have to worry about keeping track of a paper form in case you’re audited.

Work search documentation should include:

• date of contact
• company name, address, phone number
• job title or position applied for
• email, website link, and job reference number (if job was applied to online)
• person contacted (if applicable)
• method of contact
• results of contact

How do I add work search effort documentation to OKJobMatch?

To record work searches on OKJobMatch, navigate to your home screen after logging in and click “Job Search Activity” on the left navigation menu. From that screen, select the tab labeled “External Job Search Activity.” Click on the button labeled “Add Activity” to fill in the information associated with your work search activity.

How long should I keep documentation of my work search efforts?

Claimants should retain documentation of their work search activity for two years, even after finding employment. In the case of an audit, individuals are required to provide the needed information within 5 business days of the notice being mailed. OESC will then contact the employers listed on the work search documentation to confirm the work search activity.