Everything You Need to Know About Oregon’s New Paid Parental Leave Program

Oregonians, it’s time to cash in! Paid Leave Oregon benefits begin this Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. 

If you’ve had a baby or adopted or fostered a child in the last year you likely qualify for 12 to 14 weeks of partially paid, job protected leave. Let’s talk about the details.

Who Qualifies for Paid Leave Oregon?

Any working Oregonian who's expecting a new addition to their family, regardless of gender or birth status can qualify for job-protected partially paid leave through Paid Leave Oregon. To qualify, you must have earned at least $1000 the year before you apply for benefits.

In addition to providing paid leave for baby bonding, Paid Leave Oregon also covers several other life events:

-you have a serious medical condition and are unable to work

-a family member has a serious medical condition and you are unable to work to care for them

-you or your child are a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, harrassment or stalking.

How Does It Work?

All new parents. That means anyone who welcomes a child into their family whether that be through birth, adoption or foster placement can take time away from work to care for and bond with their baby. 

How Much Does It Pay Weekly?

The amount you'll receive weekly depends on your total earnings for the qualifying period. The maximum weekly benefit for 2023 is $1,455 per week, based on the state's average weekly wage. And the minimum benefit is $100 per week, even if you earned less than that in the qualifying period.

Use the Benefits Estimate Calculator to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

How Many Weeks Can New Parents Take the Leave?

Paid Leave Oregon allows eligible new parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave per year. If both parents work for eligible employers, they can take up to 24 weeks of leave per year to bond with their new infant or after they adopt or have foster children.

Also, like CA’s state disability program, Paid Leave Oregon provides additional paid time off for birthing parents. If you’ve given birth or have health needs because of childbirth you may qualify for an additional 2 weeks of leave, for a total of 14 weeks. 

Your 12-14 weeks of leave can be taken intermittently (in day or weekly increments) or all at once and expire 52 weeks after your leave begins. Make sure you use it all before your baby turns one!

Does Paid Leave Oregon Also Provide Job Protection?

Yes, as long as you’ve been at your job for at least 90 consecutive days your job is protected while you are receiving Paid Leave Oregon benefits. This means that your employer legally cannot fire you, demote you or discriminate against you for taking time off through Paid Leave Oregon.

How to Apply

Create an account on Frances Online and apply. You can also check your claim status and make an update to your claim on Frances. 

You can apply as early as 30 days before your claim, and no later than 30 days after your claim has begun. Keep in mind babies don’t always come on their due date!

Good luck and go cash in your benefits!

Not sure where to start or confused on how to navigate your parental leave? Book a consulting call and we can walk through all the details so you can be sure you’re receiving all the paid, job-protected leave possible when you welcome a child into your family and feel confident in your parental leave plan.