State approves $500 checks for people who are still waiting for unemployment benefits

(JULY 17, 2020) When the coronavirus arrived in Oregon, many businesses closed and many people lost their jobs. Many unemployed workers needed help to pay their bills. However, Oregon's state unemployment office has had significant computer problems. The state office has not been able to process all of the requests for help yet. That means many people are still waiting for financial assistance.

A committee of the Oregon state government approved a plan this week. It will give $500 checks to people who are still waiting for help from the unemployment office. The program will cost the state $35 million, and it will help up to 70,000 people in Oregon.

“This isn’t a fix; this is a band-aid,” said Peter Courtney. He is the president of the state senate. “We need to get cash into the hands of Oregonians who have been waiting on their benefits for months. As the department continues to clear claims, this money will help those who are still waiting.”

The government is still working on the details of the program.