OKLAHOMA CITY -- In October, 7.1 percent of Oklahomans were unemployed according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. Dale Shaffer is one of many who make up that statistic. He was laid off in April and has been collecting unemployment ever since.
"If I don't have the benefits then I don't eat and I don't go no place," Shaffer said. "It's what I'm living off of."
The 56 year old has been looking for a job but says, "They say they don't hold age discrimination against you but I know better."
In the meantime, he's spending a lot of time at the unemployment office, more time than he'd like.
That's because he says he got wrapped up in red tape when he tried to apply for an extension.
Shaffer calls it, "Frustrating because of trying to call in, can't get through on the phones. Go to the unemployment office and there's a big crowd of people. I got to the unemployment office probably around 9:30, I waited until about 2. I had a doctor's appointment I had to get to so I had to leave before I talked to anybody."
Dale says he was eventually told he missed his opportunity to get paid for the week in which he was trying to file.
He says, "If you are on unemployment it's not that much, so it does hurt."
Over at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, John Carpenter says things can get a bit confusing.
He says, "We do understand that this is incredibly stressful for people. Not knowing when they are going to find a job, if they are going to find a job, where they are going to get help especially at this time of year. We understand that mistakes sometimes happen; sometimes on our claimants' part, sometimes on our part. The system is set up to take these things into consideration."
Carpenter says federal law provides a 14-day window to file a claim for benefits.
That means Shaffer should be able to receive money for the week he was worried about.
Carpenter says, "All they really have to do is provide a valid explanation for why they are filing late and then they are still eligible."
Officials with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission say the best way to file is online at http://unemployment.ok.gov
The second best is by phone at (405) 525-1500 or 800-555-1554. If needed, file in person.
Links to offices can be found at the Commission's website at http://www.oesc.ok.gov
"If I don't have the benefits then I don't eat and I don't go no place," Shaffer said. "It's what I'm living off of."
The 56 year old has been looking for a job but says, "They say they don't hold age discrimination against you but I know better."
In the meantime, he's spending a lot of time at the unemployment office, more time than he'd like.
That's because he says he got wrapped up in red tape when he tried to apply for an extension.
Shaffer calls it, "Frustrating because of trying to call in, can't get through on the phones. Go to the unemployment office and there's a big crowd of people. I got to the unemployment office probably around 9:30, I waited until about 2. I had a doctor's appointment I had to get to so I had to leave before I talked to anybody."
Dale says he was eventually told he missed his opportunity to get paid for the week in which he was trying to file.
He says, "If you are on unemployment it's not that much, so it does hurt."
Over at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, John Carpenter says things can get a bit confusing.
He says, "We do understand that this is incredibly stressful for people. Not knowing when they are going to find a job, if they are going to find a job, where they are going to get help especially at this time of year. We understand that mistakes sometimes happen; sometimes on our claimants' part, sometimes on our part. The system is set up to take these things into consideration."
Carpenter says federal law provides a 14-day window to file a claim for benefits.
That means Shaffer should be able to receive money for the week he was worried about.
Carpenter says, "All they really have to do is provide a valid explanation for why they are filing late and then they are still eligible."
Officials with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission say the best way to file is online at http://unemployment.ok.gov
The second best is by phone at (405) 525-1500 or 800-555-1554. If needed, file in person.
Links to offices can be found at the Commission's website at http://www.oesc.ok.gov
