Coronavirus Update: Update on Unemployment Benefits, New Symptom Guidelines

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House Speaker Tina Kotek

Coronavirus Update: Update on Unemployment Benefits, New Symptom Guidelines

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Like other legislators, I’ve been hearing from a lot of people about the trouble they’re having getting their unemployment benefits. The wait times, the unknowns, and the changing answers are incredibly frustrating and need to be fixed completely. Things are getting better, but if you’re someone who hasn’t yet been helped or received your benefits, that’s no consolation.

Here’s what we know: The department has processed over 230,000 initial claims over five weeks (not including last week’s numbers). There’s still a long queue of initial claims to process, and many applicants are waiting for one of the new federal programs. Other claims are needing additional attention because the applicant might have a history with unemployment benefits or they need to take extra steps to verify personal information. The department now has 400+ people working in two shifts to process applications.

Under normal circumstances, it takes three weeks to get a payment, but some folks are now looking at four or five weeks for their first payment. The system won’t recognize weekly claims until the initial application is processed, and that’s why people are getting confusing computer messages. When the initial claim is approved, benefits will be retroactive and people will get all the benefits they are owed, including the $600 per week Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.

The dedicated email inboxes the department set up for inquiries were overwhelmed, so responses have been taking longer than a week. The department believes that with additional trained staff and new procedures, they hope to make good progress on the backlog this week. Email is still the best way to contact the department, since phone call wait times are still averaging over 100 minutes.

Some people were denied benefits because they said they weren’t looking for work with other employers, which of course makes sense right now. The department made an automatic fix for that. Those claims will be processed, and people should continue filing weekly claims.

If someone was denied because they are self-employed or a 1099 contract worker, the department is working hard to get the claims system ready to accept those applications as part of the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. We are hearing that should start next week.

With the possibility of more businesses restarting in the coming weeks, people have been asking whether they still get unemployment if they don’t return to work. The department says an employee may still be eligible for unemployment benefits if they do not return when called back if they have a coronavrius-related reason, such as:

  • Being ill with COVID-19.
  • Potentially exposed to COVID-19 and subjected to a mandatory quarantine period.
  • Staying home to care for a family member, or other person they live with or who they provide care for, who is suffering from COVID-19 or subject to mandatory quarantine.
  • Unable to work because they have to stay home to care for a child due to the closure of schools, child care providers, or similar facilities due to COVID-19.
  • Asked to work when it would require them to act in violation of a mandatory quarantine or government directive.
  • Unable to work because they have been advised by their health care provider or by advice issued by public health officials to self-quarantine due to possible risk of exposure to or spread of COVID-19.

The bottom line and honest assessment is this: The Employment Department is working hard to get applications processed and get people their benefits as soon as they can. And, despite this effort, the wait times are still long and too many people are worried about paying their bills. I will continue to press for better outcomes.


New CDC Guidelines on Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines today for potential coronavirus symptoms, adding chills and repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell to its list of COVID-19 symptoms. The Oregonian has more information here, and the CDC page on symptoms is here. In Oregon, the top five symptoms reported in coronavirus diagnoses are as follows: (1) cough; (2) fever over 100 degrees; (3) muscle aches; (4) shortness of breath; and (5) headache.


The Latest News

  • Colorado and Nevada have joined the Western States Pact with Oregon, Washington and California, which means these states will be coordinating by sharing data and best practices as they continue conversations about reopening. This doesn’t mean these states will be acting at the same time or in the same way. It means having more data available will assist Governor Brown as she takes a science-based approach to restarting Oregon’s economy. This is similar to the regional approaches taken in the Midwest and Northeast. The Governor’s full release on this news is available here.
  • The Oregon Health Authority announced 43 more diagnosed coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 2,354. As a reminder, projections indicate the statewide case count is closer to 8,000. Sadly, one more person passed away, meaning 92 people in Oregon have now died from the coronavirus. Over the weekend, the OHA announced 134 more diagnosed cases and five deaths.

OHA COVID-19 Update 4-27-2020

OHA Hospital Capacity 4-27-2020

Paycheck Protection Program – Round 2

As of this morning, businesses with under 500 employees can once again apply for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is being replenished with $310 billion after the initial funding for business loans was depleted. These funds could run out by the end of the week, so the recommendation is that qualifying businesses apply as quickly as possible. The PPP site is available here (although it was having problems this morning when it crashed from all the traffic).

The U.S. Treasury has put together a 12-page list of frequently asked questions about the PPP. You can see the full FAQ here.


BottleDrop Is Open!

The state is continuing to allow grocery stores not to accept bottle returns, extending that option until June 1st. The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, the organization that runs the BottleDrop locations, wants you to know that they are open and working to provide more access to bottle returns.

All BottleDrop locations are currently open 7 days a week. This includes twenty-five BottleDrop Redemption Centers, all locations for BottleDrop Green or Blue Bags at grocery stores (even if they are not otherwise accepting containers), and a recently opened emergency drop location in NW Portland that offers a bulk count service for up to 350 containers at a time. BottleDrop has taken extra steps to ensure the safety of its customers and staff during the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about what they’re doing to make it safe for you to return your bottles and cans and get your refunds.

BottleDrop also announced a statewide can drive for the Oregon Food Bank. During the month of April, BottleDrop will match $25,000 in bottles and can donations. Learn how you can support the Oregon Food Bank by donating your bottle and can refunds.


Utility Shut-Off Protection

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), the state agency that regulates utility rates, is working to ensure that no Oregonian loses access to critical utility services due to non-payment during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you or someone you know receives notification that utility service will be disconnected for lack of payment, or if future bills indicate late fee penalties, please contact the PUC’s Consumer Services office by email at puc.consumers@state.or.us or call 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404.

Customers still have an obligation to pay their utility bills. If you are having trouble making payments, please contact your utility service provider directly to learn about bill payment options. For bill payment assistance information, you can visit www.211info.org.


To read past newsletters, you can go to this link. For up to date information, please check this link to the Oregon Health Authority where regular updates are posted: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/News-Releases.aspx

Please email me at Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov if you have specific concerns that have not been addressed by the OHA. Our office will do all we can to help and protect all Oregonians.

Thank you for reading! We will get through this together.

Best,

Tina

Tina Kotek

State Representative
House District 44
Speaker of the House

email: Rep.TinaKotek@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1200
address: 900 Court St NE, H-269, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kotek