Provided by the Oregon Employment Department - December 2022
Paid Leave Oregon is a new program that ensures individuals, employers, and families — of every kind — have the time and support they need to care for themselves and their loved ones when life's important moments affect their health and safety.
Paid Leave Oregon is paid leave for the following situations:
- Family Leave – to care for a family member with a serious illness or injury, or to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
- Medical Leave – during one's own serious health condition.
- Safe Leave – for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.
People who earn income from self-employment, including people who have been correctly identified as independent contractors, can choose to take part in the Paid Leave program by signing up for coverage and paying contributions. Unlike other Oregon employees, self-employed individuals are not covered if they do not sign up.
Self-employed individuals can sign up for Paid Leave Oregon coverage starting Jan. 1, 2023. Benefits begin Sept. 3, 2023. Contributions are 60 percent of 1 percent of net income from self-employment (income after expenses). For example, if your net income from self-employment for 2022 is $10,000, you would contribute $60 for the entire year ($15 per quarter) to Paid Leave Oregon. You can choose coverage if:
- Your work is in Oregon; and
- You earned at least $1,000 in Oregon net income from self-employment (income after your expenses) in the prior tax year before you apply.
Starting Jan. 1, you can choose Paid Leave coverage by first creating an account on
Frances Online, the Oregon Employment Department's new online portal. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- You'll create an account on Frances Online as self-employed.
- If you choose Paid Leave Oregon coverage, you will need to agree to pay contributions for at least three years.
- You will need a copy of your Oregon and federal personal income tax return for the prior tax year
Detailed information is available in the
self-employed fact sheet and in the
self-employed checklist. Visit the
Paid Leave Oregon website for more information about the benefits of choosing Paid Leave coverage.