‘Back to Work’ incentive ends

State awaits court ruling on federal jobless aid

When Oklahoma’s “Back to Work” incentive program launched in May, the $1,200 payment for leaving unemployment was limited to the first 20,000 approved applications.

When the program ended this month, however, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission had only given preliminary approval to less than half of that.

“More than 8,000 applicants completed the application and have been preliminarily approved,” said OESC Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt. “The agency received about 50,000 applications, but the remaining 42,000 applicants did not meet the initial eligibility requirements.”

CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN Employment Security Commission Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt looks on as Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks during a May news conference to announce at $1,200 return-to-work incentive for unemployed Oklahomans.