Oregon boosts unemployment benefits

As of July 1, the amount paid to Oregonians filing for unemployment insurance benefits increased slightly, state officials said Monday, though it only affects those filing new claims.

The maximum weekly benefit amount an individual can receive will increase to $524, while the minimum amount will be $122.

Under Oregon law, each year the Employment Department recalculates the maximum and minimum amounts paid weekly to those filing for unemployment benefits.

The amounts are set as percentages of the average weekly wage earned by Oregonians.

The minimum unemployment figure is 15 percent of average weekly wage, and the maximum amount is 64 percent. Both dollar amounts are rounded down to the nearest dollar, as required by law.

The new payment amounts represent a 3.4 percent increase from benefits paid over the past year.

The maximum payment over the past 12 months has been $504, with a $119 minimum payment.

The change affects new unemployment insurance claims filed with an effective date on or after July 1. Those with existing unemployment claims will continue to receive the same weekly amount.