Oregon lawmakers approve plan to send $500 for people waiting for unemployment

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Lawmakers approved plans to send $500 to unemployed workers who are still waiting for benefits.

Members of the Joint Emergency Board unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday. Total, they allocated $35 million in money given to Oregon from the CARES Act.

Lawmakers did simple math to calculate the total amount. They settled on $500 for the roughly 70,000 Oregonians who are waiting for benefits.

"Our ability to move some of these dollars quickly to individuals who need the help is of paramount importance," said House Speaker Tina Kotek.

As of now, there are still questions about how to implement the program, including who qualifies for benefits and how to distribute the money.

"This is daring, this is a very daring thing we’re trying," said Senate President Peter Courtney. "I don’t like to blame the employment department, I just like to do something, so we’re trying to do something."

Several lawmakers described trying to help Oregonians who called their officers for help over the past few months.

"We have tortured some Oregonians to the point that they have sold their cars, they have no money for gas," said Senator Betsy Johnson.

According to the most recent data from the Oregon Employment Department, more than 60,000 people remain in a backlog of unprocessed Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims. PUA benefits are for self-employed and contract workers.

Others are stuck in a lengthy adjudication process, like Jessica Williams.

"Really frustrated. I know there is stuff that goes on behind the scenes that I’m sure the general public can’t fully know or understand. I just feel like there has been no communication, or any updates," said Williams.

Williams said she worked as a medical assistant for a local hospital, but learned she was pregnant at the beginning of the year. After talking with her doctor, she said it was too risky to be in a hospital setting during the pandemic, so she applied for unemployment in May. She is still waiting for benefits.

When asked about the extra $500 approved by state lawmakers, Williams said it may help pay a few bills. It pales in comparison to the amount she is expecting in unemployment.

"There are always bills that can be paid. Depending on size. So, I’m not saying it wouldn't be helpful, but I’m saying the greater issue needs to be resolved," said Williams.

The extra $500 may not come quickly, though.

Katy Coba, Director of the Department of Administrative Services, told lawmakers in written testimony that it could take six weeks to get checks to Oregonians.

"I need to clearly state for the record that I believe a fast track process for jointly developing program structure with the legislature, defining clear eligibility criteria, entering into contracts with financial institutions and ultimately getting checks into the hands of Oregon workers will take at least six weeks if not longer," Coba said.