Unemployment compensation was planned to provide monetary help when workers lose job. The benefits are short term and end when the unemployed recipient finds a new job. If you are having problem finding employment and your assistance is ending, you may be able to get an extension for your benefits. The sum will usually be equal to what you qualified for under regular employment, but the collection period is extended.
An unemployment insurance benefits claim comes to an end after 12 months. To find out when your Unemployment benefits claim runs out, review your wage and potential benefits report. The department sends the report after processing your application. It draws your base year – the 12 month period on which your claim is based, recognizes the Oregon employers you worked for in this time and the wages you earned, the number of hours you worked and the benefits you can collect on your claim, based on this work only.
You may be eligible to obtain an additional 20 weeks of benefits. Additional extensions may also be available. Tier 2 offers up to 14 weeks of added benefits. Tier 3 gives 13 weeks of additional benefits. Tier 4 offers up to 6 weeks of additional benefits. Each of these extensions will kick in automatically if you meet the criteria, or you will be contacted by the unemployment office for more information before your extensions starts to happen.
Are you concerned in learning how to file to Oregon extended unemployment benefits? In case you are a laid off worker in the state of Oregon, you will be able to discover how you can claim additional compensation in this article.
Unemployment Benefit Extensions
There are two programs for extending unemployment insurance (UI) benefits.
- Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
- Extended Benefits (EB)
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Details
EUC is a Federal extension offered by Congress. The first payable week for EUC was the week of July 6 -12, 2008.
Qualifications for EUC:
- Your base year wages must equal or exceed 40 times your weekly benefit amount. (If your claim pays 26 weeks of benefits, you have met this qualification.)
- Your most recent claim must have tired regular benefits or be expired. (If exhausted, your regular claim must tire out with the payment for the week of December 16 – 22, 2012 or before. If expired, your claim must have expired May 1, 2007 or later. )
- You can’t be entitled for unemployment benefits on a new claim, or a claim in another state or Canada.
- Your application must be filed no later than January 5, 2013, and be effective for the week of December 23 – 29, 2012 or earlier.
The EUC program is broken down into 4 tiers. The minimum number of weeks available in each tier is stated above.
To apply for EUC Tier 1:
You must call your Unemployment Insurance Center:
Portland Metro – 503-451-2400 or 1-877-345-3484
Eugene – 541-686-7800 or 1-877-345-3484
Bend– 541-388-6207 or 1-877-345-3484
If you live outside of Oregon, call 1-877-345-3484.
When you call, be ready to provide the following information:
- Your current address and phone number,
- Your work history since you last claimed benefits, (be prepared to give employer names, addresses and dates of employment.)
- If you worked out of state in the last 18 months, (be prepared to give employer names, addresses and dates of employment.)
You will also be asked if you have:
- filed for unemployment benefits against another state since you last claimed Oregon benefits,
- changed bank accounts which could have an effect on your direct deposit, Or, kept your ReliaCard. (ReliaCard is a reloadable, prepaid debit card for getting child support payments electronically. It is an alternative option for receiving direct deposit payments.)
EUC Tiers 2, 3, and 4 are added to your claim automatically once you tire out the previous tier, respectively. You do not need to apply for EUC Tiers 2, 3, or 4.
Additional tiers of EUC will not be added to any EUC claim exhausting with payment for the week ending December 29, 2012 or later.
The last payable week for the EUC program is the week of December 23 – 29, 2012, therefore your benefits could discontinue before you obtain the maximum benefit amount of your EUC claim.
Extended Benefits Details
The Extended Benefits program terminated with payment for the week ending April 7, 2012. Payments will not be made for weeks beginning April 8, 2012 and later, even though you have a remaining balance on your Extended Benefits claim.
EB is an unemployment extension paid for by both state and federal funds. Oregon set off into an EB period effective December 7, 2008. EB provides up to 20 weeks or 80% of your regular claim’s maximum benefit amount, whichever is less.
EB is disallowed by any EUC benefit eligibility. In other words, EB cannot be paid until you tire all regular and EUC benefits. EB is a claim of last way out.
EB Qualifications:
- Your base year wages must equal or go over 40 times your weekly benefit amount.
- Your most recent claim must have exhausted regular benefits, or be ended.
- Your claim must have an expiration date of May 5, 2007 or later.
- You can’t be qualified for EUC, unemployment benefits on a new claim, or in another state or Canada.
Applying for EB:
In order apply for EB; you must call your Unemployment Insurance Center:
Portland Metro – 503-451-2400 or 1-877-345-3484
Eugene – 541-686-7800 or 1-877-345-3484
Bend – 541-388-6207 or 1-877-345-3484
If you live outside of Oregon, call 1-877-345-3484.
When you call, be all set to give the following information:
Your current address and phone number,
Your work history since you last claimed benefits, (be prepared to provide employer names, addresses and dates of employment.)
Have you worked out of state in the last 18 months? (be prepared to provide employer names, addresses and dates of employment.)
You will also be asked if you have:
- filed for unemployment benefits against another state since you last claimed Oregon benefits
- changed bank accounts which could affect your direct deposit, Or, did you keep your ReliaCard?
- a definite date to return to work. If yes, be prepared to provide the employer name and phone number.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions on Oregon Unemployment Extension
What happens when I run out of regular benefits?
If you are qualified for an extension, the unemployment insurance centre will send you a letter recommending you how to file for the extension. If your claim expires while you are receiving regular benefits, you may be eligible for a new claim. If not, then you may qualify for one of the extensions listed above.
If you exhaust benefits for all the extensions available to you, then your only option is to qualify for a new claim.
How will I know if I qualify for further benefits?
When you exhaust your benefits or another extension occurs which you may qualify for, the department will inform you by mail. Please keep the department up to date of your current address. You can update your address in their online claim system.
Can I apply for an extension before my benefits exhaust?
No. If you have regular benefits left over, you should use those first, or have an expired claim, before an extension can be filed.
Can I call now to find out if I may be eligible for an extension in the future?
No. The extensions obtainable start and end at various times. This is decided either through the legislation that created the extension, or by a reduction in the unemployment rate. We cannot conclude your future eligibility until you either exhaust your current eligibility or your claim expires.
I was on an extension and was told I qualify for a new claim. The weekly benefit amount is lower than my extension. Can I stay on the Extension?
Possibly. New language added to the EUC legislation passed in July, 2010, permits individuals under certain circumstances to continue receiving EUC, rather than benefits under a new claim. This piece of the legislation only affects claims that expire with the week ending July 24, 2010 or later. UI Center staff will review your eligibility at the time you are required to file a new claim.
Is there a possibility of more extensions?
Congress or the Oregon legislature can pass legislation to create further extensions. If another extension occurs after you exhaust your benefits, we will notify you by mail if you qualify. Please keep us informed of your current address. You can update your address in our online claim system.