The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program was recently established by the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board as a way to bridge the gap left with the Federal Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA). This program was created with $30 million received by the federal government for Oregon COVID-19 assistance.
The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to individuals who need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure or those who are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not qualify for or have access to the FFCRA’s Emergency Paid Sick Leave. It is important to note that due to limited funds being available this program is effective for quarantine periods that were in place during or after the effective date of September 16, 2020 and the program will end when all the funds have been distributed or by December 31, 2020, whichever comes first.
To be eligible, employees must be told 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 AND not able to work (including telework) because of COVID-19.
If those two thresholds are met, employees must also meet the following criteria to qualify:
- Are not laid off or furloughed by their employer.
- Their employer does not provide COVID-19-related paid sick leave or they have exhausted their available COVID-19-related paid sick leave.
- Work in Oregon and file an Oregon personal income tax return.
- Do not expect to earn more than $60,000 individually or $120,000 jointly in 2020.
- 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 their employer during their quarantine or isolation, such as banked sick leave or vacation leave.
- Must have notified their employer that they need to quarantine or isolate.
- Can claim only one quarantine period.
If the above eligibility is met, individuals will receive a $120 per-day payment, up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they need to quarantine or isolate.
Individuals can check their eligibility here and apply for the program here.