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Oregon Employment Department
Oregon Unemployment Insurance Claims Activity - October 2009
10/12/2009
CONTACT:  Craig Spivey
WorkSource Oregon Employment Department
503-947-1303
craig.c.spivey@state.or.us
 
 
The number of claimants remained at very high levels through September although both the number of weeks claimed for regular benefits and initial claims declined from August.  The number of weeks of unemployment insurance benefits claimed decreased by 23%, while initial claims decreased by 2.4%. 
 
Weeks claimed increased by 29% over September 2008 levels, while initial claims increased 12%.  Though these are large increases, the year over year increases are the lowest since October 2008.
 
More than 170,000 people claimed unemployment insurance benefits each week in September, receiving more than $52 million.  Though Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, the trust fund remains solvent with a balance of more than $1.2 billion. 
 
The percentage of claimants who exhausted their regular benefits grew in September to 47% from 46.2% in August and 37% in August, 2008.  The average duration of a claim was 17.7 weeks in September, down from 18.4 weeks in August.
 
Those exhausting regular benefits are generally eligible for up to 33 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation. If those benefits are exhausted most are eligible for up to 20 weeks of Extended Benefits. From Oct 2, 2009 through Jan 2, 2010 those exhausting all other benefits are eligible for up to 13 weeks of Oregon Emergency Benefits.  There continues to be discussions at the federal level to extend benefits further.
 
 
Week ending
October 3rd
Same week in 2008
Number Claiming Regular Benefits
(26 weeks of benefits paid)
89,673
53,920
Number Claiming Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)  (33 weeks of benefits paid)
63,131
17,937
Number Claiming Workshare Benefits
4,105
443
Number Claiming Extended Benefits
(20 weeks of benefits paid)
10,735
7
Total Number Claiming benefits (including Other programs)
172,879
73,157
Exhausting Regular Benefits
2,818
1,075
Benefits paid  (all programs + federal additional compensation)
$52,477,351
$19,721,886
 
 
 
Unemployment Insurance Programs Available
 
Regular Benefits................................................................................ Up to 26 weeks
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)........................... Up to 33 weeks
High Extended Benefits (HEB).......................................................... Up to 20 weeks
Oregon Emergency Benefits (OEB)................................................. Up to 13 weeks
........................................................................................................... Total: 92 weeks
 
Current Minimum Weekly Benefit Amount........................................ $115.00
Current Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount....................................... $493.00
Average unemployment check (week ending 08-08-09)................... $311.76
 
 
 

 
Top 10 Job Openings By Occupational Group
Openings
Occupational Group
1603
Office and Administrative Support
874
Food Processors and Cannery Workers
866
Sales
847
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
477
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
384
Healthcare Support
323
Management
307
Computer and Mathematical
291
Food Preparation and Serving
275
Other Production
 
 

Top 10 Job Openings by Occupations
Openings
Occupation
987
Customer Service Representatives
733
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
205
Registered Nurses
176
Retail Salespersons
140
Sales Representatives, Services, All Other
140
Sales and Related Workers, All Other
140
Home Health Aides
138
Teacher Assistants
132
Production Workers, All Other
132
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
 

 
Employment Department office closures and reduced services Friday, October 16
 
Due to state budget reductions, the Oregon Employment Department will be closed on Friday, October 16.  This means claims for unemployment insurance benefits will not be processed that day, and WorkSource Oregon Centers will either be closed to the public, or providing limited services.  Oregonians will, however, be able to file for unemployment benefits online.
 
For a complete list of WorkSource Oregon Centers and their status for Friday October 16, visit www.WorkSourceOregon.org.
 
A complete explanation of services available on this day may be found at www.WorkingInOregon.org.
 
 
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Page updated: October 12, 2009

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