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

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 or a company with an FEIN number or an employer that pays into the
		  Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. 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 Order shall be effective upon filing of this
			 Order and until further notice.
Copies of this 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 17th of
			 May, 2021.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Brian Bingman
Secretary of State