OESC continues to encourage applications for Back-to-Work Initiative

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) – The OESC continues to encourage eligible claimants to apply for the Back-to-Work Initiative.

The agency also reports a continued decline in both initial and continued claims, with both four-week moving averages declining.

“Seeing unemployment claims numbers continue to fall is a positive indicator that our state is making great strides economically,” said Shelley Zumwalt, OESC Executive Director. “We are making significant progress as a state in returning to pre-pandemic unemployment numbers, and we are trending in the right direction. The agency is also continuing to prioritize reviewing Back-to-Work Initiative applications and we have received around 4,000 applications from eligible individuals. We’re continuing to expect an increase in applications as the month progresses.”

OESC is reaching out to applicants that started the application process but did not finish or submit their applications.

“The agency is focused on getting as many qualified applicants paid as possible,” said Zumwalt. “Those that began the application process can expect to receive communications from the agency. Please remember that the agency will not ask you to provide personal information through unsecure means like text, email, or phone.”

Weekly Unemployment Numbers for Week Ending July 24:

• For the filing week ending July 24, the number of initial claims totaled 3,723, a decrease of 671 from the previous week’s level of 4,394.
• For the same week, the less volatile initial claims four-week moving average was 5,669, a decrease of 1,377 from the previous week’s average of 7,046.
• The number of continued claims totaled 32,354, a decrease of 4,931 from the previous week’s level of 37,285.
• Continued claims’ four-week moving average was 36,516, a decrease of 590 from the previous week’s average of 37,106.