Updated: Feb. 09, 2021
National Aid
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits
Unemployment insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers. Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law. You can use this map to find your state unemployment insurance office.
State Mandated Paid Sick Leave
Thirteen states and Washington D.C. have enacted laws to require paid sick leave. Use this website created by the National Conference of State Legislators to see what sick leave laws look like in your state. Mercer created a guide that does a great job looking in-depth to what cities are offering extended paid leave programs.
State Mandated Paid Family and Medical Leave
Many states have created or expanded on their Family and Medical Leave after the COVID pandemic hit. Often times, independent contractors / 1099 workers can opt-in to these programs. Use this website created by the National Conference of State Legislators to see what your state can offer.
National Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to people who have exhausted all available regular and extended unemployment benefits through December 31, 2020. So if your state unemployment benefit payments has run out, consider applying for PEUC through your state’s unemployment insurance office.
This program has been extended to March 14, 2021
National Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
The PUA program is a temporary program that provides assistance to individuals, including self-employed and independent contractors, who are fully or partially unemployed as a direct result of the COVID-19. Money.com put together a state-by-state guide of PUA benefits and how to enroll.
This program has been extended through March 31, 2021
National Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
The FFCRA program was enacted March 25th, 2020 as a federally mandated paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Employer have 500 or less employees to qualify. Workers can use this calculator to see how much they are able to get during their leave.
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; *Employers with 50 or less employees can ask for a waiver on this stipulation.
If you’ve been employed for at least 30 calendar days, up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.
This program ended December 31st, 2020. As of January 1, 2021 Employers with 500 or less employees are no longer mandated to provide sick time. Employers can continue to provide voluntary sick time and receive the same payroll tax credits through March 31, 2021.
Oregon
Since we are headquartered in Oregon, we are more connected to the resources that are available in our state. If you’d like to share resources for what paid sick leave is available in your state, feel free to let us know at hello@cannabisworkerscoalition.org
Paid State Mandated Sick Time? Kinda
Oregon law gives all workers sick time. If your workplace has 10 or more workers (or 6 or more workers if you work in Portland), that time must be paid. If your workplace has fewer than 10 workers, your sick time may be unpaid—but you can’t fire or punish employees for taking it. Employees earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year.
Oregon Family Leave (OFLA)
If your workplace has 25+ people, then you could qualify for protected leave under the Oregon Family Leave Act. Right now family leave is protected, but often unpaid unless you have vacation, sick, or other paid leave available to use. Paid family leave is coming to Oregon in 2023.
Employees and have been on the job for at least 180 days are eligible for parental leave. For all other OFLA leave benefits, workers must have been employed for at least 180 days and also work at least an average of 25 hours a week during the 180 days before leave begins.
NOTE: Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle issued permanent rule updates in September 2020 to allow Oregonians to continue to take OFLA protected time off to care for children whose school or childcare provider has been closed by a public official for a public health emergency – using “sick child leave.”
Oregon COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program
The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to employees who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not qualify for COVID-19-related paid sick leave or are not currently receiving Unemployment Insurance. Take the eligibility quiz to see if you’re qualified now.
Oregon Self Employment Assistance
Do you have professional expertise- or a passion for a pursuit- that could turn into a business? This could be your opportunity to make it happen with the Self Employment Assistance (SEA) Program. With no requirement for weekly job searches, you can focus on building your business full time. You can keep the profits you earn, and still receive up to 26 weeks of Unemployment Insurance benefits.
Worker’s Compensation for COVID-19
Workers who have been quarantined or isolated due to a workplace exposure or have contracted COVID-19 in the workplace may be entitled to have their lost wages and medical expenses covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Find out more on the Oregon.gov website.
**NOTE and disclaimer: CWC is not a healthcare or legal services provider. These resources should not be considered legal or health advice.
If you or someone in your family begins to experience symptoms of coronavirus, call your healthcare provider directly.