Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services recently announced a new temporary paid leave program for individuals who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not have available paid time off (either employer provided paid leave like sick leave or PTO and/or COVID-19 related paid leave, like FFCRA leave). The program is available only for quarantine periods that were in place on or after September 16, 2020 and applicants can claim only one quarantine period.
Individuals who are approved for this paid leave program will receive a $120 per-day payment, up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time needed to quarantine or isolate.
To be eligible for the program, individuals must meet all the following requirements:
- Work in Oregon and required to file an Oregon personal income tax return.
- Directed to quarantine by a local or tribal public health authority or health care provider because of exposure to someone infected or have COVID-19-related symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
- Not able to work (including telework) because you need to quarantine or isolate.
- Do not 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 you have exhausted your available COVID-19-related paid sick leave.
- Are not applying for unemployment insurance benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation.
- Are not applying for workers’ compensation benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Are not seeking or using benefits from similar COVID-19 quarantine relief programs in Oregon or another state.
- Are not applying for or receiving other forms of paid leave from your employer during your quarantine or isolation, such as banked sick leave or vacation leave.
- Are not laid off or furloughed by your employer.
- Must have notified your employer that you need to quarantine or isolate.
- Can claim only one quarantine period.
The department administering this program has also created a quiz to assist individuals in determining their eligibility.
The application form is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. Those who do not have access to electronic applications can call 833-685-0850 or 503-947-0130. Those who need help in a language other than these three can call 503-947-0131 for assistance.
Full details of the program can be found here.