Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

This is the end of another long week, with many of us confined to our homes. These are trying times, but the good news is that social distancing in Oregon appears to be working to flatten the curve. Recent projections and analysis from OHA show that if Oregonians continue to follow social distancing guidelines our health care system may be able to manage the influx of COVID-19 patients. These models rely on everyone continuing to do their part and remain at home as much as possible. Our work isn’t over, so please continue to stay home. If we remain inside now, we can all leave our homes that much sooner.

Federal CARES Act

The recently passed federal stimulus package (CARES Act) will provide needed support to unemployed workers and small businesses in the state. The specifics of how the CARES Act will be distributed to Oregon remain to be seen. Some of the highlights include:

• A $1,200 direct payment to many Americans ($2,400 to join filers) and $500 for each dependent child.
• Expanded unemployment insurance from three to four months, and temporary unemployment compensation of $600 per week, which is in addition to and the same time as regular state and federal UI benefits.
• Part-time, self-employed, and gig economy workers now have access to UI benefits.
• $30 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund for states, school districts, and institutions of higher education for costs related to the coronavirus. 
• $45 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund for the immediate needs of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments
• Establishes a $500 billion lending fund for businesses, cities, and states.

If you would like additional information about what is included in the package, check out this summary of the legislation from the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Resources

Where to find COVID-19 Updates:

• Oregon: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• World Health Organization Updates: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

General Resources:

211info connects people with health and social service organizations. Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155.

Employment:

For information about unemployment benefits & COVID-19, the Oregon Employment Department (OED) has a number of resources:

• For general unemployment information in the wake of COVID-19: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/Pages/COVID-19.aspx​.
• To file a claim online: https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/index.cfm?u=F20200322A142415B10724131.5902&lang=E.

With the huge surge in unemployment claims, OED has requested that people with questions about unemployment should email them at OED_COVID19_info@oregon.gov. If the question is about the status of your claim, they will contact you to complete the process. Please do not call with questions unless you absolutely must. By reducing the number of calls to OED, you can ensure that those who need to call can connect to the services they need.

Workplace Assistance—Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI):

• BOLI has resources on how to navigate workplace laws and COVID-19 here: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/pages/coronavirus-and-workplace-laws.aspx.
• BOLI main page: https://www.oregon.gov/BOLI/Pages/index.aspx.

Business Assistance

• Federal guidance for small businesses on disaster assistance: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
• Guidance for business looking for loans to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources.

Oregon Work Share Program - Work Share provides an alternative for employers and workers who may be facing the prospect of a lay off situation. With Work Share, instead of reducing staff, an employer reduces the hours of work for a group of workers. Partial Unemployment Insurance benefits are then paid to supplement workers' reduced wages.  

• https://www.oregon.gov/employ/Unemployment/Pages/Work-Share-Program.aspx.

Business Organizations links for assistance and information

• Business Oregon: https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/.
• Salem Chamber COVID-19: https://salemchamber.org/now/covid-19-resources/.
• Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) https://www.sedcor.com/page/coronavirus.

Rental, Mortgage or Housing Assistance

The HUD has authorized the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages for the next 60 days.

211.org and Community Action may be able to direct you to resources for payment assistance.

Food Assistance

• 211 is a statewide resource:
  • Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155.
  • Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211).
  • EMAIL: help@211info.org.
• Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon: https://oregonhunger.org/covid-19/.
• Oregon Food Bank – Washington County Services: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/about-us/locations/beaverton/.

Insurance

• If Oregonians have questions or concerns about their insurance company or agent, they can contact the Division of Financial Regulation’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov for more information or to file a complaint.
• For insurance and financial services information related to COVID-19, visit the department’s website:  https://dfr.oregon.gov/insure/health/understand/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.

General Health Information

• How to protect yourself:
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
  • https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
• What to do if you're sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Mental Health Resources

• Lines for Life: https://www.linesforlife.org/blog/lines-for-life-is-with-you-24-7/.
• Washington County Mental Health Services:
  • https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/MentalHealth/
  • Crisis services: 503-291-9111.
  • Other services: 503-846-4528.

I hope you have a safe and peaceful weekend. As always, please reach out to me if you need any assistance.

Stay safe.

Sincerely,

Senator Mark Hass
Senate District 14

email: Sen.MarkHass@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1714
address: 900 Court St NE, S-207, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/hass