Claimant Handbook

The waiting week is the first week you file a weekly claim and meet all requirements. Before you can start receiving benefits, Oregon law requires that you serve one waiting week per claim. You won’t be paid any money for the waiting week, but serving and claiming it is required.

You will NOT qualify for waiting week credit if:

• You didn’t meet all eligibility requirements,
  
• You worked full time,
  
• You earned more than your weekly benefit amount, or
  
• You didn’t claim the week timely. 

After filing your claim application, you must file a weekly claim to receive benefits. To request waiting week credit, wait until the Sunday after you submit your claim application. Use the Oregon Employment Department’s website or phone system to file your weekly claim for benefits between midnight on Sunday and 11:59 PM on Saturday. Continue to file for weekly benefits every week that you’re unemployed to request payment.​​

To claim each week:

You must file a claim for benefits after the week is over as benefits are not automatically paid. The Employment Department uses a calendar week of Sunday 12:00 AM through Saturday 11:59 PM.

The telephone Weekly Claim Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Online Claims System is available seven days a week (see maintenance schedule). If you’re unable to use the Online Claim System due to routine maintenance you can still file your weekly claim by phone. 

For each week you want to file for weekly benefits, you must certify that you meet the eligibility requirements. You do this by answering questions about your eligibility for that entire week. 

Until you claim at least one week of benefits, NO payments or decisions will be made on your claim, and you won’t satisfy your waiting week.​​

1) Did you fail to accept an offer of work last week?

If any of these situations occurred, answer yes:

• You turned down any paying job during the week you’re claiming.
  
• It doesn’t matter if the offer was for full-time, part-time, permanent or temporary work.
• The work could have been for a former, current, or new employer.
• You turned down a job referral for work by the Employment Department , or
  
• You accepted an Employment Department job referral but did not contact the employer. 

2) Did you quit a job last week?

If any of these situations occurred, answer yes:

• You stopped working for one employer to start working for another
  
• You told your employer that you didn’t want to work there anymore, or
  
• You stopped showing up for work. 

3) Were you fired or suspended from a job last week?

If either of these situations occurred, answer yes:

• You were fired or suspended if your employer let you go for ANY reason other than a lack of work (layoff).
  
• There was continuing work available, but the employer wasn’t willing to let you continue working. 

A lack of work (layoff) is when the employer does not have enough work available to keep you working. 

4) Were you away from your permanent residence for more than three days last week?

If you were away from your permanent residence for more than three days during a week claimed answer ‘yes’ to this question. A week consists of all days of the week; Sunday through Saturday. 

5) Were you both physically and mentally able to perform the work that you sought last week?

If you were not able to do the kind of work you were seeking, answer no. 

6) Each day last week, were you willing to work and capable of accepting and reporting for full-time, part-time and temporary work?

If any of these situations occurred, answer no:

• You restricted the days and hours you were willing to work.
  
• You didn’t have transportation to get to work.
  
• You didn’t have childcare.
  
• You were incarcerated.
  
• You were attending school not previously reported to the department.
  
• You were pursuing self-employment not previously reported to the department.
  
• You missed ANY work. 

7) Did you actively look for work last week?

If any of these situations occurred, answer no:

OR

• You didn’t comply with a written work search advisory provided by the department.
  
• You’re a member of a union that only allows you to seek union work, and you’re
  
• Not in good standing with the union, or
• ​Not available for dispatch 

8) Did you work last week or receive any vacation or holiday pay?

If any of these situations occurred, answer yes:

• You performed services for any employer and expect to receive payment, credit, or room and board in return.
  
• You were self-employed and earned any money.
  
• You will receive holiday or vacation pay.
  
• You will receive sick pay from your employer. 

If you received bonus pay, contact the UI Center. 

If you received retirement pay, other than social security, not yet reported, contact the UI Center. 

If you made a mistake answering any claim questions, contact the UI Center.​ ​