Applying for Paid Leave Oregon is a two-part process

For pre-planned events, you must provide notice to the Human Resources Benefits Team at least 30 calendar days advance notice. In an emergency, you must provide notice to the Human Resources Benefits Team within 24 hours of the event and submit a written notice to the Benefits Team within 3 days of starting the leave.
hr-benefits@bend.k12.or.us / 541-355-1100

Important Paid Leave Oregon Pay & Tax Information

PLO Payments

• After your claim has been submitted, American Fidelity will review your application and any required documentation to determine your benefits and pay you a weekly amount.

• The amount you get paid from American Fidelity is based on how much you earn in Oregon. Bend-La Pine Schools reports wages to American Fidelity on a monthly basis and that information is used to calculate your weekly benefit dollar amount. 

• Employees can set up direct deposit with American Fidelity as part of the claim application. 

Possible PLO Tax Implications

• Paid Leave Oregon benefits are taxable to the employee to the extent the premiums are paid by the employer and not included in the employee's wages. Premiums paid by the employee with before-tax dollars are considered employer-paid premiums by the regulations. Bend-La Pine Schools employees will contribute .6% of their gross wages each month ($0.60/$100.00 earned) and Bend-La Pine Schools will contribute .4%

• Taxable PLO benefits are subject to federal and state income tax and employment tax for the first six months of benefits. However, income tax withholding is optional and only required if the employee requests it. In cases where the employee requests it, American Fidelity will withhold the employee's share of employment tax from taxable benefits, and Bend-La Pine Schools will remit their portion. 

• It's important to note that PLO benefits received by an employee for reasons unrelated to their own serious health condition are fully taxable and reported to the employee via a Form 1099 by American Fidelity, with no employer taxes due. The employee is responsible for paying taxes on the full amount received.

See American Fidelity's PLO Tax Information flyer