New Oregon paid-leave program aims to help some quarantined workers
SALEM,. Ore. (KTVZ) – A new program starts this week to help people who work in Oregon and need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure, but don't have access to COVID-19-related paid sick leave, the state Department of Consumer and Business Services announced Monday.
The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program was created with $30 million received from the federal government to help Oregon respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
People who qualify will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they are required to quarantine.
Employees can apply online starting Wednesday at oregon.gov/covidpaidleave.
The application form is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. Those who do not have access to electronic applications can call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130. Those who need help in a language other than these three can call 503-947-0131 for help.
DCBS and the Department of Revenue are collaborating on the new program to ensure employees meet the necessary eligibility requirements.
You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the program:
- Work in Oregon and required to file an Oregon personal income tax return.
- Directed to quarantine by a local or tribal public health authority or health care provider because of exposure to someone infected, or isolating because you have COVID-19-related symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
- Not able to work (including telework) because you need to quarantine or isolate.
- Do not expect to earn more than $60,000 individually or $120,000 jointly in 2020.
- Your employer does not provide COVID-19-related paid sick leave or you have exhausted your available COVID-19-related paid sick leave.
- Are not applying for or receiving unemployment insurance benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation.
- Are not applying for or receiving workers’ compensation claim benefits due to quarantine or isolation.
- Are not seeking or using benefits from similar COVID-19 quarantine relief programs in Oregon or another state.
- Are not applying for or receiving other forms of paid leave from your employer during your quarantine or isolation, such as banked sick leave or vacation leave.
- Are not laid off or furloughed by your employer.
- Must have notified your employer that you need to quarantine or isolate.
Because the available funds are limited, the program is available only to quarantine periods that were in place on or after Sept. 16. Applicants can claim only one quarantine period.
For more information or to apply, go to oregon.gov/covidpaidleave or call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The website also contains an eligibility quiz to help people who are not sure if they qualify.
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About DCBS: The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
Follow DCBS on Twitter: twitter.com/OregonDCBS.
