Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Oregon

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit, you are disqualified unless OED finds you had good cause. OED reviews each case and may contact you and your employer.

Examples the state names:

• Leaving work to protect yourself or a member of your immediate family from domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or a bias crime

If you were fired

Being fired does not automatically make you ineligible. You are disqualified if OED finds you were fired or suspended for misconduct connected with work. Being fired because of drug, cannabis or alcohol use connected with work can also disqualify you.

If benefits are denied for the separation

If you are disqualified for quitting without good cause, misconduct, or refusing suitable work, you cannot get benefits until you work again in covered employment and earn at least four times your weekly benefit amount after the week of the disqualifying act.

Refusing work

Failing without good cause to apply for or accept suitable work disqualifies you until you earn at least four times your weekly benefit in covered work.

Law: ORS 657.176(2), (11)

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

Job contacts per week: 5

Each week you must do at least five work-search activities, and at least two of them must be direct contacts with employers (applying or asking about work the way the employer asks). Other activities can include interviewing, union hiring hall visits, reemployment services, networking or updating your resume. If you are on a short layoff and returning to full-time work within four weeks, or are a member of a closed union, different rules apply.

Records to keep

Keep a record of your weekly work-search activities and report them on each weekly claim (date, employer name and contact details or job posting ID, person contacted, job, how you contacted them and the result). OED has an optional Employment Search Record form.

Law: ORS 657.155(1)(c)

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

Anyone authorized to work in the U.S. may be eligible. If you are not a U.S. citizen or a COFA Islander, you can apply using your USCIS number, A-number or I-94 number.

Free help

Call 1-877-345-3484. Legal aid and other free help in Oregon → Official sources →