Gov. Kevin Stitt said "We don't need another stimulus package" when asked whether he has requested help from Oklahoma's federal delegation.
Stitt was asked whether Oklahomans need anything from Congress specifically, and he responded during a news conference Thursday: "I don't think we need another stimulus package, no. ... We've told the White House that.
"We want to make sure this $1.2 billion actually gets on target, and we have not even gotten the $1.2 billion we've been allocated so far in Oklahoma. We haven't got it out, and so our message back to the White House was 'Before we go back to the well and do another $2 trillion bailout, let's get these moneys out the door first.'"
The state was to receive about $1.5 billion in relief funding with about $1.2 billion available as some $300 million was earmarked to cities and counties with populations of more than 500,000.
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In the latest news from the federal government, the White House has offered $150 billion in new appropriations to help state and local governments alleviate revenue losses from the damage the coronavirus has wrought on the economy.
That matches the amount appropriated during negotiations on the $2 trillion coronavirus bill that passed in March.
Much of that original money is reportedly left over, and the debate has continued over how to use it.
"If we can’t reach an agreement on these big issues, then I don’t see us coming to an overall deal," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said this week. “And then we’ll have to look at the president taking actions under his executive authority."
Both Democrats and Republicans seem to agree on another $1,200 direct payment to most Americans, making the idea all but certain to be included in the final agreement, at a cost in the $300 billion range.Â
A vote isn't likely to come until late next week or even after. Progress has been scant in the talks despite more than a week of negotiation.
At stake is a massive rescue measure blending benefits for the jobless, more than $100 billion to help reopen schools, another round of direct payments and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments.
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Q&A: Filing unemployment claims amid virus-related job losses
Q&A: Filing unemployment claims amid virus-related job losses
How long does it take to get the benefits?
Typically, the wait time from the start of the process to when the applicant receives benefits is 12 to 14 days after they are approved. The approval letter could come up to 20 days after applying.
On March 19, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an order that temporarily suspended the one-week waiting period before unemployment benefits can be paid.
What if I still technically have a job?
Employees who are not formally laid off but have their hours reduced to zero can still apply for benefits.
Full-time employees whose hours are reduced to less than 32 hours are considered part-time and eligible to file for benefits under certain conditions.
How long can I receive benefits?
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission announced on July 27 that those who have maxed out their state benefits may now continue to receive regular state unemployment benefits for up to an additional 13 weeks.
Traditionally, those out-of-work may claim unemployment insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks per year.
What if I need additional assistance with my claim?
Assistance can be found at OESC’s 27 regional offices, which are continuing to see claimants in person — with masks required and social distancing in effect. Regional office staff also can assist claimants over the phone via their local office number.
Click here to see all American Job Center locations in the state.
How many Oklahomans filed for unemployment during the pandemic?
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has experienced record-setting or higher-than-average unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state unemployment rate was 6.6% in June after peaking in April at 13.7%. The unemployment rate in May was 12.6%. An estimated 116,602 were considered out of work in June; as of October, 884,252 initial claims for jobless benefits have been filed in Oklahoma.
