An Overview of Unemployment Insurance in Oregon
Did you lose your job? Do you live in Oregon? If so, you may be able to get unemployment benefits (also called “unemployment insurance”) from the state.
Oregon has rules about who can get unemployment benefits. This article will break down these rules and answer other frequently asked questions about unemployment benefits in Oregon.
What are unemployment benefits?
Unemployment benefits are like a government insurance policy. When you work and pay state taxes, it's like paying insurance premiums on this policy. If you lose your job through no fault of your own or quit for a qualifying reason, you can get weekly unemployment benefits until you find another job (or use up all your benefits). Your benefits will be directly deposited into your bank account or onto a benefits debit card.
You can quickly estimate your monthly payment using Oregon's Unemployment Insurance Estimator tool.
Can I get unemployment benefits if I quit my job?
In Oregon, you might still be able to get unemployment benefits if you quit your job for a “qualifying reason.” A qualifying reason includes if your workplace is unsafe, or you have other poor working conditions.
If you are having problems at work, it’s a good idea to use all available options to fix the problem before you quit. For example, talk to your supervisor or boss about the problem and ask them to fix it. If you don’t do this first, it will be harder to get unemployment benefits if you do decide to quit. It's all about whether you had no reasonable option but to quit.
If in doubt, apply for unemployment benefits. Submitting an online application doesn’t take long, and you may get approved.
Can I get unemployment benefits if I’m fired?
You may be able to get unemployment benefits in Oregon if you're suspended or fired from work, but it depends on why your employer fired you.
You can't get benefits if your employer fired you for misconduct, like stealing from your job or missing a lot of work without a good reason. But if you got fired for another reason, like your boss doesn't like you or the company was having money problems, you can likely get benefits. You can also usually get benefits if you were fired for making a one-time mistake.
If you're not sure you qualify for benefits, go ahead and apply. It doesn’t take very long. The worst that will happen is your claim gets denied.
What are the other rules for getting unemployment?
Besides not having a job, you must:
- Have enough work history.
- Most people have enough work history if they worked at least 500 hours or earned at least $1,000 in the 18 months before they lost their job.
- Your work history must be based on working for an employer as a W-2 employee. Unemployment benefits cannot be based on work you did while self-employed, working under the table, or working as an independent contractor.
- Remain ready, willing, and able to work. This means all of the following are true:
- You're actively applying for jobs.
- You're physically able to work.
- You're available at days and times of the week when employers expect you to be available.
- You are living in Oregon.
- You have permission to work in the U.S. (if you're an immigrant).
How do I file for unemployment benefits in Oregon?
You can apply for unemployment benefits in Oregon using the Oregon Employment Department's Frances Online website. When you apply, you'll need to provide basic information about yourself, your past jobs, how much you've earned, and your reason for not working now.
It is important to be honest when you complete your application. For example, if you quit, you need to say so. You will have a chance to explain why you quit, and depending on your reason for quitting, you may still qualify for benefits.
What happens after I file for benefits?
The Oregon Employment Department's computer systems will review your case. Most claims are approved automatically within a couple of days. If your claim is approved, you can expect your benefits within two to three weeks.
Some people (about one-third of applicants) must wait longer because their case is sent to adjudication. Keep reading to learn more about adjudication.
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits in Oregon?
Most people who qualify can start getting benefits within about three weeks. For some people, it will take longer. But it's important to apply right away after you lose your job. Even though it takes a bit of time, the sooner you apply, the sooner you can get help.
How much does unemployment pay in Oregon?
The amount of money you get depends on how much you earned at your last job. The exact amount varies from person to person. The weekly benefit amount for 2023 and 2024 ranges from $190 to $812 per week.
You can use Oregon's Unemployment Insurance Estimator tool to estimate your weekly benefit amount.
How long do unemployment benefits last?
You can get unemployment benefits for 26 weeks (or six months).
Sometimes, Oregon allows people to get benefits even longer when state unemployment rates are very high. For example, Oregon did this during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary
Unemployment benefits are important help for people who are unemployed. In Oregon, if you've lost your job and meet the rules, this money can help support you until you find a new one.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Every week after you apply, you must log in to your Frances Online account and submit a claim for each week you remain unemployed.
You should submit weekly claims even if you are still waiting for your original claim to be approved.
In your weekly claim, you must provide information about any jobs you’ve applied to, and job offers you've received.
About one-third of applications for unemployment benefits are flagged by the employment department's computer systems and sent for adjudication.
This means your case is more complicated and needs to be reviewed by a human. During adjudication, you'll need to provide extra information to the employment department so they can decide if you qualify for benefits.
If you get put into adjudication, you can expect to wait longer to get benefits. Although some adjudications resolve quickly, getting approved may take a couple of months or more.
Caution box: If your case ends up in adjudication, the employment department will call you for more information or mail you a questionnaire. You only have a couple of days to provide the information they request. So, make sure your voicemail is set up and check your mailbox often while you're waiting to hear from them.
It’s also important to keep filing weekly claims while you wait. If your claim is approved later, you’ll get back benefits for all the weeks you claimed unemployment.
Yes. If you complete your military service and get honorably discharged, you can apply for unemployment benefits in Oregon. You must be living in Oregon, actively looking for work in Oregon, and available to work.
Yes. If an illness or injury forces you to quit your job, but you can still work at another type of job, you can get unemployment while looking for new work. You must also meet these requirements:
- You have enough work history. Most people meet this requirement if they worked at least 500 hours (about three months of full-time work) or earned at least $1,000 in the 18 months before they lost their job.
- You worked for an employer. In most cases, your work history must be based on working for an employer as a W-2 employee. Unemployment benefits cannot be based on work you did while self-employed, working under the table, or working as an independent contractor.
- You are ready, willing, and able to work. This means:
- You're actively applying for jobs.
- You're physically able to work.
- You're available at days and times of the week when employers expect you to be available.
Tip: If you have a long-term illness and don't think you can work, consider applying for Social Security disability benefits instead.
Yes. If you lose your job, you can get employment insurance if you meet these requirements:
- You have work authorization. This means you have permission from the U.S. government to work in the U.S.
- You lost your job. This can include any of these situations:
- You got fired or suspended from work, but not because of misconduct.
- You quit your job for a qualifying reason, such as your work being unsafe or you were being harassed at work.
- Your employer laid you off temporarily or permanently.
- You have enough work history. Most people meet this requirement if they worked at least 500 hours (about three months of full-time work) or earned at least $1,000 in the 18 months before they lost their job.
- You worked for an employer. In most cases, your work history must be based on working for an employer as a W-2 employee. Unemployment benefits cannot be based on work you did while self-employed, working under the table, or working as an independent contractor.
- You are ready, willing, and able to work. This means:
- You're actively applying for jobs.
- You're physically able to work.
- You're available at days and times of the week when employers expect you to be available.
Here are some options:
- Refer to the Oregon Employment Department's Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook.
- Call Oregon's free Lawyer Referral Service to get referred to a private attorney who may be able to help you with your claim.
- If you can’t afford a lawyer, call Oregon's Public Benefits Hotline for quick, free advice about your case.