News & Information

CCH® UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE — 10/13/09

Oregon amends its UI law on various subjects

Oregon has amended its Employment Department Law as follows:

Grounds for disqualification. Language providing that an individual may not be disqualified from receiving benefits due to domestic violence has been changed. The exception now extends to cases where a member of the individual’s immediate family (rather than only the individual’s minor child) is a victim of such violence. The law also now applies if the individual believes that he or she or a member of his or her immediate family could be a victim of such violence. In addition, the requirement that the individual pursue reasonable available alternatives to leaving work has been eliminated.

Definitions. For weeks beginning on or after February 22, 2009, and ending on or before December 26, 2009, the term “eligibility period” means the weeks in an individual’s benefit year that begin in an extended benefit period and any subsequent weeks that begin in the extended benefit period or any week that begins after the date the individual exhausts all rights to Emergency Unemployment Compensation and during an extended benefit period that began on or before the date the individual exhausts such rights.

For weeks beginning on or after December 27, 2009, and ending on or before May 29, 2010, the term “eligibility period” includes any week that begins after the date the individual exhausts all rights to Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and during an extended benefit period that began on or before the date the individual exhausts such rights, provided that the individual received extended benefits for one or more weeks of unemployment during the period between February 22, 2009, and December 26, 2009.

For weeks beginning on or after May 30, 2010, the term “eligibility period” means the weeks in the individual’s benefit year that begin in an extended benefit period and, if the benefit year ends within the extended benefit period, any subsequent weeks that begin in the extended benefit period.

Dislocated workers. The term “eligible dislocated worker” now includes workers who have separated from a declining industry or have been involuntarily and indefinitely separated from employment as a result of a permanent reduction in operations at their place of employment.

Eligibility of dislocated workers. A caveat has been added providing that eligible dislocated workers are eligible for supplemental benefits, subject to the availability of funds. Language that provided that supplemental benefits may be paid only in certain circumstances has been eliminated.