Employee Resources

An Ongoing List of Companies that are Hiring in Town.

Gig Workers Collective : COVID-19 Resources

This group is a a pending 501(c)(3) organization of gig worker activists and they have developed a VERY helpful lists of resources for those of us that are going through a pretty rough time. Let’s be honest, this sh** is getting harder. Unemployment insurance checks have yet to come in for most of us and businesses are depending on Go Fund Me campaigns to help support their staff. Do not be afraid to reach out for help and apply for grants during this time. Check out our blog post for some financial suggestions.

Oregon State Unemployment Benefits COVID-19 Response

If you have been laid off due to COVID-19 circumstances, apply for Unemployment Insurance ASAP so that you can receive your first check. You can apply online or on the phone. There is a built in ‘waiting period’ that you will experience and the department as a whole is being inundated with applications, so it may take a while. The general timeline for applications can be found under ‘When can I expect my first payment?’ FAQ page .

Tips for the application:

It is recommended you call instead of applying online.  The Unemployment Office needs to know your “unemployment is due to impact from Covid-19 or Coronavirus”.  You should say these words when you are connected to a person. There is not a place for that note online.

DO NOT RESUBMIT YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM ONLINE IF YOU WERE DENIED. It will cause an even longer wait for you and will flag your account. If you were denied, call them and talk to a person. It may take a few hours, but worth it.

The automated/online system will ask you the following questions:

Do You Have a Return-To-Work Date? — Yes

Reason for Unemployment? — Laid Off due to lack of work OR Reduction of hours, Still Employed (This reason is good if you are working some hours but have been dramatically reduced hours and when hours are unknown)

Standby means you do not have to look for another job while you collect unemployment benefits, so long as you stay in contact with your regular employer. You must accept any work you can do without breaking isolation or quarantine that is offered by your employer, such as telework. When you file your claim, you can request up to four weeks of standby. If needed, your employer can request up to an additional four weeks of standby (for a total of eight) as long as you will be returning to work full-time when business picks up again

Do you want to be placed on Standby? — Yes (regardless of how many hours you are working).

Possible Return Date? — Enter the date exactly 4 weeks from the next Sunday. Example: if you chose Sunday, March 15th as the beginning of your claim period, your return to work date would be Sunday April 12th. If you don’t make it exactly 4 weeks to the day, the claim will most likely be denied.

***We have been advised by the Unemployment Office to only enter 4 weeks at this time in order to get your claim approved***

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation : Resources + COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund

This great Foundation is providing grants to workers across the nation. The site also features updates + news on closures and a list of mental health + healthcare links. You can find more possible funding information on our Grants + Funding page.

Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid/SCHIP)

Some of us may qualify for the Oregon Medicaid program. Qualification is base on household annual income, so with unemployment this may be a possibility. We hope to share more healthcare resources in the coming weeks as legislation is passed. Fingers crossed. If you do not qualify, check out Oregon Health Plans to see if you can get assistance in paying for a new plan in the marketplace.