New Oregon Employment Department Informational Website

By Amy L. Angel & Makayla L. Halkinrude-Allmaras

Posted on July 13, 2020

In response to unprecedented claims for unemployment insurance benefits, the Oregon Employment Department (OED) has launched a new informational website. The website provides useful information and tools for employers including Frequently Asked Questions, details of the Work Share program, information on how unemployment benefits are impacted by a business reopening, how to report fraud, and more. The website also helps employees find information about programs created by the CARES Act, determine unemployment eligibility, and learn how to apply for benefits.

Specifically, for employers, the website includes:

Comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions, which is set to be updated weekly;
Resources about the Work Share program;
Information on how unemployment benefits are impacted as a business reopens; and
How to report suspected fraud, including if an employee declines an offer to return to work without a qualifying reason.

Employers trying to assist their employees in navigating unemployment benefits during business closures and slowdowns should refer employees to the website. The website is a useful guide in helping employees navigate the unemployment claims process, and providing clear information to help them understand what to expect. The website includes the following for employees:

Step-by-step instructions for how to apply for both regular unemployment benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits during the pandemic;
Common questions about applying for and receiving unemployment benefits;
Information about new programs related to the CARES Act, including the PUA program, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program; and
Other resources available to help Oregonians while they wait for benefits such as food assistance and health coverage.

For more information on navigating unemployment benefits with business closures and reopening plans, please contact Amy Angel at 503-276-2195 or aangel@barran.com.

NOW, NEXT, & BEYOND: Barran Liebman’s E-Alert series covering the COVID-19 pandemic, helping employers identify what they need to do now, next, and beyond to stay in compliance, be responsive to employees, and best position their business for the future.

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Las Alertas electrónicas son escritas por abogados de Barran Liebman para sus clientes y amigos. Las Alertas no son proveídas como asesoramiento legal, sino solo como anuncios de leyes de empleo, leyes laborales y beneficios de empleo. Si esto ha sido remetido a usted y quisieras empezar a recibir las Alertas directamente, por favor mándanos un correo electrónico o llama a Traci Ray al 503-276-2115. Derechos de autor ©2021 por Barran Liebman LLP.