August 12, 2021
The legislature is currently not in session, but that doesn't mean I stop working for you! Below is a collection of updates from state agencies that may affect you!
Employment Department Update
I recently received a few updates from the Oregon Employment Department that I wanted to share with you.

Pandemic-Related, Temporary Federal Benefit Programs Ending
  • The pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs are ending. 
  • The programs that are ending include Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
  • REMEMBER: The last eligible week for pandemic related federal benefits is the week ending September 4, 2021.
  • PUA applicants will have until October 5, 2021, to backdate their claim for eligible weeks prior to the end of the program.
  • Those who filed their initial claim on or before December 27, 2020, may be able to backdate their weeks to Feb. 8, 2020 if eligible.
  • Those who filed their claim after December 27, 2020, may be able to backdate their week to Dec. 12, 2020, if eligible.
  • OED recommends that all claimants use WorkSource Oregon services and make a plan for their next step.
  • The Employment Department will hold a webinar on August 19 at 1 p.m. focused on the ending of pandemic-related federal programs and the resources available to Oregonians.
  • Visit their resources web page for more information on available services and programs for workers, employers, and those that are self-employed.

Debt Collection Activities
  • Federal law requires OED to pursue collection of improperly paid benefits.
  • After a long pause, the Employment Department will restart active debt collection activities on debt that was already pending legal action when the pandemic began.
  • In mid-March 2020, the Employment Department stopped active debt collections, which means they:
  • Suspended wage garnishments for those who lost their jobs
  • Did not pursue warrants, garnishments, and liens for individuals who were in active collections prior to the pandemic
  • Continued sending billing statements to those with outstanding debts, but debt recovery occurred only through voluntary repayments
  • Created a UI Tax COVID abatement relief program for employers.
  • As they move back to actively recovering improperly paid benefits, OED encourages those with an overpayment to request a waiver or hardship deferment.
  • Request a waiver or hardship deferment at unemployment.oregon.gov.

Employer required vaccinations and how they could impact benefits
  • As more employers require their workers to be vaccinated, Oregonians are asking how this may impact unemployment benefits if a worker quits or is terminated due to the requirement. Here is what workers and employers should know:
  • All unemployment claims and circumstances are unique, and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • If there is a separation and the worker files for unemployment benefits, the department will investigate all of the factors that contributed to the separation, including but not limited to vaccine refusal, to determine benefit eligibility.
  • The department will also evaluate if claimants looking for work are willing to be vaccinated or use reasonable alternative protections in order to accept potential employment.
  • Exemptions may apply for workers who have a deeply held religious belief, are medically unable to get the vaccine, or exempt under ORS Chapter 433 or a collective bargaining agreement.
Septic Support Programs
During the legislative session, both the House Committee on Water and the House Committee on Wildfire Recovery (of which I'm a member) took action to help families and small businesses repair or replace their septic systems.

In the budget for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the legislature allocated $2 million to restart the septic system replacement loan program. While there is not a date yet for the program to restart, anyone who needs access to the loan program is encourage to register now with Craft3. This will help Craft3 expedite applications as soon as the program is restarted.

Additionally, House Bill 5006 included two funding sources for septic systems, totaling $15.5 million. DEQ was awarded nearly $570,000 for administration of financial assistance for on-site septic systems. DEQ received $15 million in ARPA funds to provide financial assistance to public agencies or qualified institutions for the repair, replacement, upgrade or evaluation of residential or other on-site septic systems.
Emergency Alerts
It's fire season and the National Weather Service has Southern Oregon under an excessive heat warning. Now is the perfect time to make sure you're signed up to receive emergency alerts through Oregon's new emergency alert notification system, OR-Alert.

  • Anyone can receive emergency alerts through OR-Alert by signing up via text, web, or mobile app: Text: Sign up for emergency alerts in your area by texting your zip code to 888777.
  • Website: Sign up for emergency alerts in your area by visiting www.oralert.gov.
  • Mobile App: Download the Everbridge Mobile App to receive emergency alerts wherever you are.
All my best,