Oregon Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide

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Looking for tips to access the Oregon Unemployment Insurance Benefits? 

In this article, we will make Unemployment Insurance Benefits easy to understand with Oregon Unemployment phone numbers and other contact information.

We understand.

The experience of unemployment is often fraught with anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. Not being able to provide for oneself and one’s family can be very difficult, and the stress of the situation can be overwhelming. 

Those who are unemployed may feel like they are a burden to their loved ones, and they may feel like they are not good enough or valuable enough. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this experience, and there are people who care about you and want to help. 

You are valuable, even if you are not working at the moment. There are many resources available to you, so please do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Why did we create the Oregon Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide?

Government websites can be difficult to navigate for a lot of people. They may be confusing or hard to use, and they may not have all the information people need. This can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially for people who are already struggling. 

Having said that, please use our guide as support but NOT the official guide. You will NEED to contact the official unemployment government staff and fight for your own benefits. You can do this.

Who’s in charge of Oregon Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

The Oregon Employment Department is in charge of administering the state’s unemployment insurance program. 

The department serves job seekers and employers through 47 offices across the state by assisting workers in finding suitable employment, supplying qualified applicants for employers, providing statewide and local labor market information, and providing unemployment insurance benefits to workers who are temporarily unemployed due to no fault of their own.

Below is what its official website looks like.

Oregon Unemployment Contact 

Information about Unemployment Insurance

Phone: 1-877-FILE-4-UI (1-877-345-3484)

Central Administrative Office

Oregon Employment Department

875 Union St. NE 

Salem, OR 97311

Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM  – 5:00 PM

Contact

  • Phone: 503-947-1394
  • Fax: 503-947-1472
  • TTY: 7-1-1

How To Qualify for Oregon Unemployment Benefits

The state of Oregon employs two separate decision points to evaluate whether or not a claimant is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. For an unemployed worker to qualify, at least one of the following must be true:

In the base year, the jobless worker earned at least $1,000 in recorded pay, and the total base year wages are at least one and a half times the wages paid in the highest calendar quarter of the base year.

During the base year, the claimant worked at least 500 hours and was paid some subject earnings during that time.

The first four of the past five completed quarters make up your base year, which is a one-year period. This base year is determined by the day you first make your claim, not the date you lose your job. Furthermore, you must have lost your job due to no fault of your own or been fired for good reason.

How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Oregon? 

  • Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
  • Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
  • Duration of Benefits: 3-26 weeks
  • Weekly Payment: Min $157 to Max $673
  • Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $16,848

How Do I Apply for Oregon Unemployment Benefits?

The Oregon online claims system allows you to file your initial unemployment claim online. Simply choose Regular UI Initial Claim from the drop-down menu.

Make sure you have your whole job history for the last 12 months on hand, including employer names, addresses, phone numbers, and any relevant dates of employment.

How do I Manage My Oregon Unemployment Benefits

Managing your UI benefits is a continuous procedure that does not cease after your initial claim is approved. To get unemployment compensation, you must file a weekly claim after submitting your claim application. This is done by going to the online claim system and choosing the Claim a Week of Benefits option.

You can also call the Weekly Claim Line at 800-982-8920 to file your weekly benefit claim.

You must prove that you continue to fulfill eligibility standards for each week you submit for weekly benefits by answering a series of questions concerning your eligibility for that week. These questions will focus on your job search activity, any recent earnings, and your continuous availability to take suitable work if provided.

How Do I Appeal an Oregon Unemployment Decision?

If you or your employer are dissatisfied with the judgment on your initial claim for UI benefits, you or your employer may request an appeals hearing. You will get an official letter describing the decision on your unemployment insurance claim; at this point, you should begin the appeals procedure by following the steps specified in your letter.

You can seek a hearing by mail, fax, or email, or you can utilize the hearing request form on the Oregon Department of Justice’s website. The following is the contact information for submitting the form:

  • Email: OED_UI_HEARINGSREQ@Oregon.gov
  • Fax: 503-947-1335
  • Mail: 875 Union St NE, Salem, OR 97311

How Do I Report an Oregon Unemployment Fraud?

Protecting the state of Oregon against unemployment insurance fraud and identity theft helps the state maintain integrity in the use of taxpayer resources while also ensuring that jobless benefits go to those who need them the most.

Please contact 1-877-668-3204 if you suspect someone is improperly obtaining unemployment benefits. You may also use the Fraud Hotline online form to provide as much information as possible.

Regardless matter how much information is supplied, the state of Oregon analyzes all reports, but the more data you can include in your report, the more likely an investigation will be successful.

What if I quit?

In general, you are not eligible if you leave your work freely.

If you quit for “good cause,” though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes good reason, and you can make your case for getting benefits.

You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because regulations and conditions differ from state to state.


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Oregon Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations

Oregon Unemployment  OfficeOregon Unemployment Office LocationsOregon Unemployment Phone Number
Unemployment Office – Albany139 4th Ave SEAlbany, OR 97321541-967-2171
Unemployment Office – Clatsop County450 Marine DriveSuite 110Astoria, OR 97103503-325-4821
Unemployment Office – Baker City1575 Dewey AvenueBaker City, OR 97814541-523-6331
Bend Vocational Rehabilitation1645 NE Forbes RoadBend, OR 97701541-388-6336
Unemployment Office – Bend1645 North East Forbes RoadSuite 100Bend, OR 97701-4990541-388-6070
Unemployment Office – Curry County16261 Hwy 101 SSuite 11Brookings, OR 97415541-469-9836
Unemployment Office – Burns809 West Jackson StreetSuite 400Burns, OR 97720541-573-5251
Unemployment Office – Grant County120 S Washington StreetPO Box 40Canyon City, OR 97820541-575-0744
Unemployment Office – Coos County990 2nd StreetCoos Bay, OR 97420541-756-8459
Unemployment Office – Corvallis4170 SW Research WayCorvallis, OR 97333541-757-4261
Unemployment Office – Polk County580 Main StreetSuite BDallas, OR 97338503-831-1950
Unemployment Office – Lane County2510 Oakmont WayEugene, OR 97401541-686-7601
Unemployment Office – Florence3180 Highway 101 NorthFlorence, OR 97439541-997-1913
Unemployment Office Rogue Valley1569 NE F StreetGrants Pass, OR 97526541-476-1187
Unemployment Office Hermiston950 SE Columbia DriveSuite BHermiston, OR 97838541-567-3381
Unemployment Office – Klamath Falls801 Oak AvenueKlamath Falls, OR 97601541-883-5630
Unemployment Office – La Grande1901 Adams AvenueLa Grande, OR 97850541-963-7111
Unemployment Office – Lebanon44 Industrial WaySuite BLebanon, OR 97355541-259-5787
Unemployment Office – Lincoln County4157 Northwest Highway 101Suite 250Lincoln City, OR 97367541-994-6992
Unemployment Office – Jefferson County281 South West Third StreetSuite BMadras, OR 97741541-475-7118
Unemployment Office – Yamhill County370 NE Norton LaneMcMinnville, OR 97128503-472-5118
Unemployment Office Rogue Valley119 North Oakdale AvenueMedford, OR 97501541-776-6060
Unemployment Office – Newport120 North East Avery StreetNewport, OR 97365541-265-8891
Unemployment Office Ontario – Malheur County375 SW 2nd AvenuePO Box 40Ontario, OR 97914541-889-5394
Unemployment Office – Clackamas County506 High StreetOregon City, OR 97045971-673-6400
Unemployment Office – Pendleton408 SE 7th StreetPendleton, OR 97801541-276-9050
Unemployment Office – Portland2 NW 2nd Ave.Portland, OR 97209503-226-7387
Unemployment Office Gresham18633 SE Stark St.Suite 201Portland, OR 97233503-669-7112
Unemployment Office Portland Metro30 North Webster StreetSuite EPortland, OR 97217503-280-6046
Unemployment Office Portland Metro SE6401 SE Foster RoadP..O. Box 86280Portland, OR 97206503-772-2300
Unemployment Office – Redmond2158 SE College LoopSuite BRedmond, OR 97756541-548-8196
Unemployment Office – Douglas County846 SE Pine StreetRoseburg, OR 97470541-440-3344
Unemployment Office – Salem605 Cottage Street NESalem, OR 97301-2419503-378-4846
Springfield Main Street Center101 30th StreetSpringfield, OR 97478541-726-3525
Unemployment Office – Columbia County500 N Highway 30Suite 320St. Helens, OR 97051503-397-4995
Unemployment Office – The Dalles700 Union StreetSuite 105The Dalles, OR 97058541-296-5435
Unemployment Office – Tigard11950 SW Garden PlaceSte 100Tigard, OR 97223503-612-4200
Unemployment Office – Tillamook2101 5th StreetTillamook, OR 97141503-842-4488
Unemployment Office – Woodburn Center120 East Lincoln StreetSuite 115BWoodburn, OR 97071503-982-2817

Final Thoughts

We hope the above info has been helpful to you. 

We do not make any financial advice but below are some of our thoughts that could help you stand on your feet sooner than later.

  • Don’t feel shame about needing help, but also don’t feel entitled. 
  • Don’t beat yourself up – things happen. The sooner you accept it and move on, the better.
  • Don’t burn the bridge. Work with your employer to help yourself. 
    • 1) Check if you are entitled to severance pay, vacation or sick pay, 
    • 2) Ask about extending health insurance benefits, 
    • 3) Ask about outplacement resources, 
    • 4) Request a reference letter from your employer 
  • Review your financial positions, obligations. 
  • Make a weekly or monthly budget. Buy what you need, so you don’t have to sell what you need.
  • Watch out for credit card loans – they will eat you alive.
  • Make an action plan with at least 3 scenarios from best to worst and examine your options.

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Editor
Sabrina is a former campaign manager who has decided to focus her effort to help people contact senators and get help. She leads our Editorial Team with Ronald and Lawrence to curate content and resources that help us navigate the system.

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