The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has updated the eligibility for the $1,200 Return-to-Work Incentive announced by Governor Kevin Stitt in May.

The eligibility requirements have been extended to those who work two part-time jobs that equal 32 hours or more with an Oklahoma employer for six consecutive weeks, the OESC announced last week. Previously, only claimants who worked a full-time job of 32 hours a week or more qualified.

“We made this change to ensure that we can accommodate as many individuals as possible as they rejoin the workforce,” said Zumwalt. “Claimants will have more opportunities to connect with potential employers at our upcoming career fairs on June 23 and June 25 where employers are looking to fill both full-time and parttime positions. I encourage any claimant in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas to attend these in-person career fairs.”

OESC is also hosting a virtual career fair through the end of June to allow Oklahomans from across the state access to employment opportunities. The agency’s Tulsa career fair will be held at the Tulsa Expo Square - River Spirit Expo on June 23 and the Oklahoma City career fair will be held at the Oklahoma City Convention Center on June 25.

The commission also reported that the number of initial unemployment claims totaled 12,722 for the week ending May 29, an increase of 4,362 from the previous week’s level of 8,360. The four-week moving average was 34,253, a decrease of 1,039 from the previous week’s average of 35,292.