Oregon Unemployment Benefits Increase By 2 Percent

PORTLAND, OR — The State of Oregon Employment Department on Wednesday announced an increase to unemployment insurance benefits for people filing new claims.

For any claims filed on or after July 2, state officials said, the maximum amount allowed by the state has increased from $590 to $604 per week. The minimum has also increased from $138 to $141, officials said, noting the minimum amount available is 15 percent of the weekly average while the maximum is set at 64 percent of average. Both dollar amounts are rounded down, as required by law, officials said.

The state Employment Department evaluates the Unemployment Insurance program annually, setting the percentages available to unemployed people based on the average weekly wage earned across the state. The department increased minimum benefits in 2017 by 2.2 percent and maximum benefits by 2.4 percent compared to 2016, officials said.

Anyone with an existing claim will continue to receive the same amount, officials said.

According to a statement from the Employment Department, Oregon's Unemployment Insurance program is a temporary financial safety net for people who've lost their jobs "through no fault of their own," and through its distribution of funds helps stabilize economies in small communities where unemployment is particularly high.

Additionally, officials said, the program also encourages reemployment and maintaining a locally trained, experienced workforce.

Image: RoamingPro via Pixabay.com