(a) Benefits.  Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) employee benefits include:

• (1) a core benefit allowance for the employee's mandatory coverage of:
  • (A) health insurance;
  • (B) dental insurance;
  • (C) basic life insurance; and
  • (D) disability insurance;
• (2) an additional benefit allowance for the employee's dependent health, dental, and basic life insurance coverage;
• (3) premium conversion for qualifying insurance benefits, if the employee elects;
• (4) a reimbursement account, if the employee elects, for:
  • (A) child care;
  • (B) qualifying medical expenses; or
  • (C) both;
• (5) retirement benefit through Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS).

(b) Unemployment compensation.  Employees of OKDHS may qualify for unemployment compensation under certain circumstances.  [Part 2, Eligibility, of the Oklahoma Employment Security Act as amended by the 1988 Session of the Oklahoma Legislature effective May 5, 1988]  When an individual files for unemployment compensation, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) notifies OKDHS with Form OES-617, Notice of Application for Unemployment Compensation, in-state application, or Form IB-3, Claimant/Employer Separation Statement, out-of-state application.  Human Resources Management Division (HRMD) provides a written response for all claims received.  To be filed timely, OKDHS response to OESC must be postmarked within ten calendar days of the date of notice.  If the response is not filed timely, the eligibility for compensation is determined from the information provided by the claimant.  Local offices fully cooperate in providing information requested by OKDHS to ensure timely filing of the response.  When a notice of application for unemployment compensation is received in the local offices or institutions, it is immediately faxed to HRMD with the hard copy forwarded to HRMD.

(c) Eligibility for OKDHS program benefits.  Benefits through  OKDHS programs are available to an employee and his or her legal dependent(s) who meets all conditions of eligibility for the specific program for which application is made.  The application for benefits, the determination of original eligibility and continuing eligibility, and the delivery of services are handled in the same manner as for any other individual, except that an employee cannot certify himself or herself, relatives, or unrelated persons living in the employee's home.

(d) Other benefits.  Other benefits, deferred compensation, leave, and holidays are provided to employees in accordance with state law and OKDHS policy.  The eligibility requirements, effective date, and specific provisions of these benefits vary and are addressed elsewhere in policy.