No paid sick leave? You may be eligible for $120 per day while isolating or quarantining in Oregon
If you have to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 symptoms or exposure but don’t reap the benefits of a paid sick leave from your place of work, you may be in luck.
The State of Oregon’s COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program, announced Friday by the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services, is offering up to $120 per day for a maximum of 10 working days ($1,200 total) for those who meet the eligibility requirements.
You might be eligible for the #Oregon #COVID19 Temporary Paid Leave Program. If you are required to quarantine due to potential exposure to COVID-19, but don’t receive paid sick leave through your employer, you may be eligible to receive financial support: https://t.co/wGCiUNiptP pic.twitter.com/xxZAv3Ixl4
— DCBS (@OregonDCBS) November 14, 2020
Not sure if you’re qualified? Don’t fret – you can take this online quiz to see if you meet the requirements, or have a look at the eligibility criteria below.
First off, you must not be self-employed, and if eligible, you can claim only one quarantine period. You must also:
- Work in Oregon and are required to file a personal income tax return in the state.
- Were asked to quarantine by a local or tribal public health authority or provider due to exposure or if you are experiencing virus-related symptoms.
- Are unable to work (including virtually) because you need to quarantine or isolate.
- Don’t 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 your paid sick leave has already been exhausted.
- Are not applying for unemployment insurance benefits or workers’ compensation benefits for the time off.
- Are not seeking or using benefits from other quarantine relief programs from Oregon or elsewhere.
- Are not applying or getting other paid leave from your employer during quarantine (like banked sick leave or vacation leave.)
- Are not laid off or furloughed.
- Have notified your employer that you need to quarantine or isolate.
Sound like you? Go ahead and fill out the program’s online application and have a look at the application instructions if you meet all of the above eligibility requirements.