(Yadira Lopez/Malheur Enterprise)

A year after it was created to help workers during the pandemic not covered by traditional safety net programs, a relief fund has distributed $60 million to 370,000 immigrants in Oregon. 

The Oregon Worker Relief fund was created last May to provide cash payments to people impacted by the pandemic but because of their immigration status were unable to access unemployment insurance or stimulus payments. 

“Excluding immigrants from desperately needed relief based on their legal status left Oregon families and communities at severe risk as folks have struggled to pay rent, put food on the table, pay for health care, and keep utilities on during the pandemic,” said Isa Peña, interim executive director of Causa Oregon, in a statement announcing the milestone.

The fund was created with $10 million from the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Emergency Board and has operated with 23 community-based organizations across the state. 

According to a report from the fund, it still faces challenges in meeting the need. Another estimated 70,000 workers will seek relief from the fund. But the four weeks of relief totaling $1,720 from the fund is significantly less than payments from traditional unemployment insurance, according to the report.

-Jake Thomas 

By Salem Reporter