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CONTACT: Craig Spivey Public Affairs Specialist WorkSource Oregon Employment Department 503-947-1303 craig.c.spivey@state.or.us Unemployment Insurance Facts The Oregon Employment Department is responding to the current economic situation by providing more benefits to those who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. What benefits are available to Oregonians right now? 26 weeks regular claim ($113/week minimum, $482/week maximum) 33 weeks Emergency Unemployment Compensation 13 weeks Extended Benefits 7 weeks of High Extended Benefits 79 weeks possible benefits For the month of January 2009, the Oregon Employment Department paid out $129,118,333 in unemployment insurance benefits, compared to $65,890,507 in December 2007. The number of weeks claimed for unemployment benefits was up 44% from January 2008 (474,306 weeks to 264,222 weeks).
Claim filing activity
To speed processing of unemployment insurance claims, the Oregon Employment Department has added staff to answer calls and has moved other staff to process claims during off hours. There are two ways to file for a claim: on the Internet, or by telephone. For most Oregonians, the fastest way to file for unemployment insurance benefits is to go on the Internet. Unemployment Insurance claims may be filed at www.WorkingInOregon.org/ocs. To file by telephone, call one the unemployment insurance centers servicing your area: 1 Portland Metro and NW Oregon: 503-451-2400, or toll free 1-877-877-1781 2 Eugene and SW Oregon: 541-686-7800 or toll free 1-877-728-7970 3 Central and Eastern Oregon: 541-388-6207 or toll free 1-800-663-7914 For the shortest wait times, contact the unemployment insurance centers on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings. Getting Oregonians Back to Work The state workforce system, WorkSource Oregon, has seen a huge jump in registrations for its job-matching site: iMatchSkills.org. New Registrations
Despite the downturn in the employment picture, there are thousands of jobs available on iMatchSkills®. As of Friday, January 31, 2009 there were 2,210 openings compared to 4,975 openings for the same period last year.
Job Seeker Services Available through WorkSource Oregon 1 Services and support to prepare job seekers for their next job
3 Services for Veterans 4 Services to Farm Workers 5 Information on other resources and assistance in the community
6 Information on connecting to educational opportunities and apprenticeships Employer Services
WorkSource Oregon is in the process of implementing a new skill assessment that will help job seekers determine their best fit for current openings, and what training they might need to make them more employable. Job seekers take a skill assessment and are then served by one of our partners to obtain needed training. How to access these services: Web: www.WorkSourceOregon.org, www.iMatchSkills.org, www.Employment.Oregon.gov In person: Network of offices statewide, call 877-517-5627 for location information -30- |
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