Coronavirus In Oklahoma: Funds Coming To Assist Gig Workers, Independent Contractors Idled By The Pandemic

By Jack MoneyBusiness writerjmoney@oklahoman.comFederal dollars to help gig economy workers and independent contractors idled by the new coronavirus pandemic are headed to Oklahoma.Those dollars will help each state’s unemployment insurance system boost compensatory rates and lengthen the time benefits can be received for all idled workers, regardless of whether they work for themselves or someone else.Funds are expected to arrive in mid-April, officials with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission said Wednesday.The commission is updating unemployment.ok.gov so idled self-employed workers will be able to use it to seek compensation.“We’re grateful we will be able to provide temporary relief to individuals previously ineligible for unemployment insurance,” said Robin Roberson, executive director of the commission.Read more on NewsOK.com