Press Releases

Rep. Horn Releases Unemployment Survey Report

Report finds multiple barriers to assistance for hundreds of Oklahomans

Oklahoma City, May 20, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – On Wednesday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (OK-5) released a report with the results of a survey on Oklahoma unemployment assistance her office conducted. Eight-hundred and sixty Oklahomans responded to the survey with their experience using or attempting to use the state’s unemployment system. The report is available here.

The survey’s findings include:

  • 91% of respondents rated their experience with the Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission (OESC) as either “very negative” or “somewhat negative.”
  • 85% of respondents have not yet received unemployment assistance, either due to problems with the application or delays in receiving benefits.
  • 80% of respondents with a pending application have waited over a month for help.
  • 51% of respondents reported three or more significant roadblocks in applying for and receiving unemployment assistance.

“We passed the CARES Act eight weeks ago, and Oklahomans still aren't getting the unemployment assistance I fought to include,” said Congresswoman Kendra Horn. “My office has been working day and night to help hundreds of workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. They are struggling to put food on the table or afford live-saving medication because they still haven't received the unemployment assistance they’re entitled to. The results of my survey will help provide insight into where our state’s unemployment program has fallen short and how to fix it. I am sharing the results and comments we received with the Governor’s office to help our state to eliminate barriers to relief and get assistance to the people who need it.”

In March, the state of Oklahoma received over $10 million from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to scale unemployment assistance operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A month ago, Congresswoman Horn sent a letter to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to address escalating concerns regarding unemployment benefits in Oklahoma, offering assistance with any federal support needed to implement the program. Congresswoman Horn’s letter is available here.  

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