How to File for Unemployment in Oregon in 2022

If your job was affected adversely due to the COVID-19 pandemic which created a big rise in unemployment in Oregon, You just need to know how to file for unemployment in Oregon.

There are several possible sources of financial relief, including applying for unemployment benefits in the state of Oregon.

Both the government and individual states are changing some of the unemployment requirements in light of the current circumstances.

In Oregon, as in any other state, workers who are temporarily unemployed through no fault of their own are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Here are the basic rules for receiving unemployment benefits in Oregon.

What you need to Know about unemployment in Oregon

Newly unemployed Oregonians at the top and bottom of the benefit scale will receive 9% more from the state every week starting in July, with weekly benefits rising as high as $1,033 for some workers.

The higher benefits are the result of an annual adjustment in the level of state unemployment benefits, which is linked to the average Oregon wage.

As the pay for working Oregonians increases, the state increases the levels of minimum and maximum benefits.

The weekly minimum payment for recurring entitlements is increased from $157 per week to $171. The maximum will increase from $673 to $733 per week.

The level of unemployment benefit varies according to the income the workers earned before they lost their job.

Additionally, Congress added a $300 weekly unemployment bonus by Labor Day to offset the economic impact of the pandemic recession.

The higher unemployment benefits come as employers in Oregon and across the country report a labor shortage despite unemployment rates of around 6%.

Many employers suspect that some people deliberately remain unemployed in order to receive unemployment benefits, which, thanks to the weekly federal surcharge, exceed what some jobs pay.

What is it like to live in Oregon?

The Pacific Northwest is arguably one of the most beautiful places to live in the United States.

It is a nature lover’s paradise with lush landscaping and incredible views that include breathtaking mountain peaks and pristine waterfalls.

Oregon’s snowfall is greatest in the Cascade Range. On the other hand, most of the winter precipitation in the Coast Range falls as rain, although heavy snowfall does occur at times.

Most of Oregon’s mountainous areas are covered in snow over 4,500 feet (1,400 m) from December through April.

Unfortunately, all of these advantages have one major disadvantage. Oregon is one of the most expensive states.

In July 2021, Oregon has ranked the fifth most expensive state with a cost of living 31.43% higher than the national average.

What is Oregon Unemployment Benefit?

Unemployment Benefit in Oregon is an employer-paid program that is temporary financial assistance to workers who are through no fault of their own unemployed who meet Oregon eligibility requirements.

Government unemployment benefits may be available to workers affected by layoffs, unpaid leave from the UO Benefit Expansion Program, or other wage cuts.

Unemployment benefits eligibility and amount are determined by the Oregon State Department of Labor, and we cannot tell how the state is likely to consider an application.

State and federal regulations have been passed to address employment changes and loss of earnings for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In most cases, the state of Oregon has historically not paid full-time students unemployment benefits. However, some student workers may be eligible for Oregon unemployment insurance benefits.

Student staff can apply at any time to see if they are eligible for benefits established by the Oregon Employment Department

Eligibility Requirements for Oregon Unemployment Benefit

In Oregon, the Department of Labor manages unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive unemployment benefits in Oregon:

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be an Oregon resident and meet all of the following conditions:

• Unemployed and
• Has worked in Oregon in the past 12 months (this period may be longer in some cases) and
• Have earned a minimum wage in accordance with Oregon guidelines, and
• If you actively seek work each week, you will receive benefits.
• Your previous income must meet certain minimum thresholds.
• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined in Oregon law.
• You must be able to work, available and actively looking for employment.

When am I considered unemployed in Oregon?

Oregon eased the last requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. You are not considered “unable to work” if you are in quarantine due to the novel coronavirus, quarantine yourself, look after children who do not go to school or care for a family member.

You may still be eligible for unemployment if you are sick at home or hospitalized with COVID-19, or if you stay at home to avoid the risk of exposure.

Additionally, you no longer need to be actively looking for work to be eligible for unemployment insurance – you just need to be willing to look for work when social distancing and self-quarantine are no longer required due to the novel coronavirus.

To meet the minimum income, you must have earned at least $ 1,000 or worked 500 hours in the base year.

The total wage that you have earned this year must be at least 1.5 times your top-selling quarter in the same period. The base year is the first four of the last five quarters before the application for unemployment.

Do you meet the minimum wage requirement?

Virtually all states look at your recent work history and income over a one-year “base period” to determine your unemployment entitlement.

In Oregon, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five full calendar quarters before you submitted your benefit claim.

During the base period, you must meet at least one of the following requirements to become unemployed:

• You must have earned at least $ 1,000 wages during the base period and your total base period wage must be at least 1.5 times the salary in the highest quarter of your base period, or
• You must have worked at least 500 hours during the base period.

How much money do I get in Oregon unemployment benefit?

Your benefit amount depends on your work performance and your wages during the base period specified above. The minimum unemployment benefit in Oregon is $122 per week and the maximum is $524 per week.

You can use the Oregon Unemployment Insurance Estimator to get a sense of how much you might qualify.

The government has just passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES). This stimulus package will provide an additional $600 per week to anyone eligible for unemployment insurance through July 31st.

Regular unemployment benefits are usually 1.25 percent of a worker’s income over a 12-month period. For example, a worker who earns $12.50 an hour and worked 40 hours a week for the past year will receive a $325 a week unemployment benefit.

The minimum recurring unemployment benefit is $151 per week. The maximum amount is $648 per week. (For new initial applications submitted on June 28th or later, the minimum is $157 and the maximum is $673).

PUA’s weekly unemployment benefit amount is calculated in the same way as regular unemployment benefit, but PUA has a higher minimum payment. The minimum PUA benefit is $205 per week. The maximum amount is $648 per week.

The average weekly unemployment benefit in Oregon is the equivalent of a full-time job at $16.75 an hour, which equates to nearly $35,000 a year, according to the Labor Services.

This includes the $300 weekly bonus which increases the average total payout by almost 80%.

How long can I receive unemployment benefits in Oregon?

As a rule, you can receive unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks within a period of up to 52 weeks. However, the CARES Act extends this period by 13 weeks so that you can receive unemployment benefits for up to 39 weeks.

Your weekly benefit amount is 1.25% of total wages in your base period, subject to a weekly minimum of $151 and a maximum of $648.

How do I file for unemployment benefits? in Oregon

You can apply for unemployment benefits by filing an application with the Oregon State Employment Service.

You can also submit a claim by phone at 1-877-FILE-4-UI, but due to the high number of calls, you should apply online if possible.

You need to provide your personal information, such as Your social security number or Alian’s registration number and phone number.

You will also be asked to provide employment information, including salary information, for all of your previous employers in the past two years and to prove that you are unemployed through no fault of your own.

After you have submitted your initial application, you must submit a weekly benefit application, starting on Sunday after the application – even if your application is still being processed.

The prerequisite for this is that you have received wages for at least two quarters in the base period. In addition, you must meet the minimum income limit in your highest quarter, your three lowest quarters, and your entire base period.

• You must be unemployed through if you have been given notice, have lost your job as part of downsizing or have been no fault of your own to be eligible for unemployment benefit.

•  If you were fired because you did not have the skills required to do the job, or simply did not fit in, you will not necessarily be excluded from receiving benefits.
  
  However, if you have committed “wrongdoing”, you are not entitled to unemployment benefit.

In Oregon, misconduct includes, among other things, willful violation of employer’s rules, failure to meet standards that an employer can reasonably expect an employee to do or negligent behavior that is so common or serious that it disregards the employer’s interests.

For example, appearing to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or being absent several times without excuse after receiving a written warning, is generally considered to be misconduct.

If you quit your job, you will not be entitled to unemployment benefits unless you had an important reason for quitting.

In general, the good cause requirement is met when the average person in your situation would have had no choice but to leave the position.

For example, if your working conditions pose a threat to your health and safety and your employer refuses to do anything about it, it is likely an important reason.

On the other hand, if you quit because you weren’t happy with the pay, it wouldn’t be a good cause.

Are you actively looking for work?

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, be able to take a job and be looking for a job.

If you are offered a suitable position, you have to accept it. Whether a job is suitable in the early stages of unemployment depends on several factors; which include

• the level of skill and training required,
• the similarity between the job and your previous employment,
• the level of remuneration for the job and
• the distance between the job and your workplace residence.

However, over time, you will be expected to change your standards and consider taking on a job that requires fewer skills or is less paid.

You must conduct an appropriate job search, which includes contacting new employers on a weekly basis.

You should document your job search efforts, including the employers you contacted, the dates you contacted, and the outcome.

The ED may contact you or your employer contacts to review your efforts.

What if my unemployment application is denied?

If you are rejected, you will receive a written statement stating the reason for your rejection.

You can file an objection, but you must submit it within 20 days of the mailing date and continue to receive benefits every week that the objection is processed.

Many people are losing their jobs due to the pandemic, but there are also some jobs that are in demand due to COVID-19.

You may face tough financial decisions, but don’t give up hope or be afraid to seek financial assistance.

You have the right to a hearing to appeal any decision. Sometimes people have to apply for a hearing in order to receive their unemployment benefit.

You must request a hearing in writing and you only have 20 days from the date the decision was sent. If you request a hearing later, you will need to show a valid reason for not holding the hearing earlier.

You should request a hearing as soon as you know of the decision. You should also seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

References

• How to Apply for Unemployment in Oregon – The Motley Fool
• Unemployment Insurance – Oregon.gov
• Oregon Unemployment Insurance | Benefits.gov
• Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Oregon – Nolo