Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Section 1:2021-15A

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
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