Oklahoma has come through the COVID-19 pandemic in a strong position both in terms of health and economic vitality. The State of Oklahoma is one of the national leaders in COVID-19 vaccinations and our state has ample vaccine supplies for all.
Now, the needs of Oklahoma's workforce must be addressed in various ways. This Administration prioritizes Oklahomans rejoining the workforce. Throughout the pandemic, those who were displaced received the needed support for themselves and their families. With employers in all sectors now hiring, assistance to families, job seekers, and employers must be prioritized as we continue to build a more prosperous Oklahoma. Therefore, now is the time to provide for a workforce initiative (The Oklahoma Back-to-Work Initiative) within the State and its political subdivisions.
I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the power vested in me by Section 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution hereby declare and order the following:
1. Oklahoma will no longer offer the following programs: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC); Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC); and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). 2. In their place, The Oklahoma Back-to-Work Initiative will offer a one-time $1,200.00 incentive to assist those returning to the workforce. Oklahomans may receive this one-time incentive upon leaving any unemployment insurance program, including Unemployment Insurance, and providing pay stubs for six weeks of consecutive employment with the same employer, that pays into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, or a company with a FEIN number. The duration of the incentive program is from May 17, 2021, through September 4, 2021, or until 20,000 people have received the incentive, whichever is earlier. Applicants may begin applying June 28, 2021. 3. Starting June 27, 2021, claimants who have exhausted their traditional Unemployment Insurance benefits but continued to receive benefits through the PUA, MEUC, or PEUC programs will no longer be eligible for payments under those programs. Oklahoma will no longer issue supplemental $300 weekly payments under FPUC as that program terminates by June 27, 2021. 4. This is a workforce incentive program and not pandemic unemployment insurance; therefore, no deductions will be taken from the worker's one-time incentive. Recipients will be issued a 1099 at the appropriate time. 5. To ensure those currently receiving unemployment benefits have support available to help them in this critical step forward, those seeking employment will be offered 60 days free childcare in addition to the workforce one-time incentive. This childcare will be offered through Oklahoma Department of Human Services while individuals are seeking employment. This Amended Order shall be effective upon filing of this Order and until further notice.
Copies of this Amended Executive Order shall be distributed to the State Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, who shall cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented by any appropriate agencies of State government.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this 28 th of May, 2021.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Brian Bingman
Secretary of State
Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2021-15A
Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 19, June 15, 2021, eff. 5/28/2021