COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program

The Oregon legislature recently established the COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program to provide coverage to individuals that are not eligible for FFCRA leave. The leave is provided if the employee is unable to work due to the need to quarantine or self-isolate because of COVID-19. Up to 10 days of leave will be provided through the program, and it is only available if the employee’s employer does not provide COVID-19-related paid time off.

In order to be eligible under the program, employees must meet all the following requirements:

• They work in Oregon and are required to file an Oregon personal income tax return.
• They are directed to quarantine by a local or tribal public health authority or healthcare provider because of exposure to someone infected or have COVID-19-related symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
• They are not able to work (including telework) because they need to quarantine or isolate.
• They do not expect to earn more than $60,000 individually or $120,000 jointly in 2020.
• Their employer does not provide COVID-19-related paid sick leave or they have exhausted their available COVID-19-related paid sick leave.
• They are not applying for unemployment insurance benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation.
• They are not applying for workers’ compensation benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• They are not seeking or using benefits from similar COVID-19 quarantine relief programs in Oregon or another state.
• They 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.
• They are not laid off or furloughed by their employer.
• They must have notified their employer that you need to quarantine or isolate.
• They can claim only one quarantine period.
• They are not self-employed.
• They are not part of the gig economy (Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, GrubHub, Instacart, etc.)
• They are not being paid off the record (this means their employer is not reporting their income to the state and often employers who pay off the record pay in cash).

Employees will apply with the state to receive the benefit. Approved applicants will receive a check in the mail, and the money is taxable.

Employers with Oregon employees that are not offering any paid time off for employees who have the need for COVID-related leave should be mindful of this program.

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