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More unemployment claims mean that more OED workers are needed to process them. OED had 106 employees dedicated to processing claims on March 8th. They now have over 450, and they are continuing to hire more employees. Over half of the claims filed during the initial surge have been processed. Turnaround time for these claims is still around 2-3 weeks. But depending on the complexity of your claim, it could take longer.
If you are experiencing issues with your claims or need to file, here are some things you can do to get things moving:
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NEW CLAIM FILERS (never filed a claim before): https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/ic/ic-step1.cfm?ID=115660599&lang=E
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HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH YOUR OPEN CLAIM OR HAVEN’T HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM OED: Send claim information to: OED_COVID19_Info@oregon.gov OR OED_UI_Info@oregon.gov - To get into the cue. They will respond within a week.
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CAUGHT UP IN THE RECENT 'RE-START YOUR CLAIM' GLITCH AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED? Send claim information to: OED_COVID19_Info@oregon.gov OR OED_UI_Info@oregon.gov - To get into the cue. They will respond within a week.
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DENIED BENEFITS, you believe to be incorrect? You can reach out to OED directly to appeal the decision, with your claim information, to: OED_UI_HEARINGSREQ@oregon.gov – The resolution time is approximately 30 days.
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SELF-EMPLOYED or INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS: You CAN apply for unemployment right now. THE OED is currently working to process these claims. If you have already submitted a claim and have been denied, please refer to the step above on appealing your claim.
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MAKING MORE ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND REFUSING TO ACCEPT AND RETURN TO YOUR FORMER JOB POSITION, IF OFFERED? This is a BIG NO-NO. Best not to chance it because the result will not be in your favor.
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SIGN UP FOR EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT UPDATES HERE: https://govstatus.egov.com/ORUnemployment_COVID19
Please reach out to my office if you have done the steps and still can't get a response. Send me an email with your information to: rep.shellyboshartdavis@oregonlegislature.gov
We know a lot of you are waiting patiently, and we are feeling your frustration. We are frustrated too. Hopefully this information helps!
Governor Brown announced today that Oregon would be waiving the one-week waiting period before recently laid off workers are eligible for unemployment benefits. The change will apply retroactively for workers who have already filed a claim. This could result in more than $100 million in additional benefits to Oregonians who have lost their jobs. Waiving the waiting period will require a massive overhaul of Oregon's antiquated computer system, which the Governor indicated could take thousands of hours to change. There is no timetable for when this waiver will be officially implemented, but I will be sure to provide an update once I learn more.
For more information surrounding our Employment Department’s roadblocks into flexibility for waiving the waiting week, please read this article here
Governor Statement and Press Release
Members have encouraged the Governor to utilize actual “boots on the ground” industry to be part of her counsel and advice when working to “open up” Oregon.
Some Oregonians have already begun receiving their Economic Impact Payments from the federal government. Many Americans are eligible for up to $1200 in direct payment from the federal government.
- If you have filed taxes for 2018 or 2019, or if you receive Social Security payments, you won’t have to do anything to receive the money.
- If you don’t typically pay taxes and don’t receive Social Security benefits, you can fill out the form found here to make sure you get your payment.
- These rebates will not count towards SNAP or TANF eligibility and won’t result in a reduction of benefits. More information from the Department of Human Services here.
- Unfortunately, the rebates are available only to people with SSNs, not TINs (i.e., taxpaying undocumented people). These are people who work hard, pay taxes, and are frequently not eligible for any government assistance at all. Efforts like the Oregon Workers Relief Fund are working to put money in these families’ hands, and they are advocating for state assistance as well.
IRS Online Portal
Abbott Labs has developed an antibody test that will determine if someone has been previously infected with the coronavirus. These tests could be available to screen up to 20 million people by June. Testing for antibodies will help to understand who has or has not been infected by the virus. The immune system makes these proteins, called antibodies, in order to fight off the infection, whether symptoms exist or not.
Read Abbott Labs announcement here
Thanks to the citizen-soldiers with the Oregon Army National Guard, they have facilitated the transportation and distribution of medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all 36 counties. As well as the nine Tribal Nations, and two Tribal Health Agencies in order to enhance needed supply inventories as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19.
Office of Emergency Management Press Release
Oregon State University scientists will embark on a groundbreaking project in the coming days as they start testing in the greater Corvallis community to determine the prevalence of the virus that causes COVID-19. The unique door-to-door effort is among the first in the nation that will provide an overview of an entire community’s COVID-19 wellness, said Ben Dalziel, an assistant professor in OSU’s College of Science.
Link to the Press Release
Reminder: The Oregon Health Authority – OHA: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus211Info is an excellent source of information about resources and benefits, and they are also ready to answer your questions about coronavirus. They are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. by phone (call 211), text (text your ZIP code to 898211) or email (help@211info.org).
Together, we will get through this. Be kind to one another and reach out if you or a loved one need assistance.
Better together,
 Follow me on FACEBOOK and TWITTER for up-to-date information.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis
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