A line of people wait to apply for a one-time $500 relief payment at the OnPoint Community Credit Union in West Salem on Thursday, August 20. At 4:45 p.m., with more than 175 people still in line, a credit union employee let those waiting know that OnPoint would be closing at 5:30 p.m. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
It took about 48-hours for the state to run out of funds for a program meant to help Oregonians struggling because of the pandemic.
Wednesday morning legislative leaders announced that banks and credit unions across the state would begin distributing one-time $500 payments from federal coronavirus relief funds for Oregonians who’ve lost income because of the pandemic.
Long lines formed quickly of people eager for help outside participating banks and credit unions in the Salem area and across the state.
OnPoint Credit Union in west Salem saw hundreds of people lined up around the new building and cars in backed up to Wallace Road Thursday evening.
By Friday morning, legislative leaders announced that all 70,000 available payments have been distributed or dedicated.
According to a statement from the speaker’s office, the program will now wind down as financial institutions will no longer accept new applications but will still keep previously scheduled appointments.
“We’ve said from the beginning that we know this is not enough money to help all of those in need,” Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said in a statement. “But we had to take action to get money directly to people as quickly as possible and this is a tremendous example of Oregonians pitching in to help our most vulnerable.”
The program made payments to nearly 40,000 eligible Oregonians within two days of being launched, according to a statement from legislative leaders. On the day of its launch, 62% of $500 payments went to zip codes outside the Portland area, according to the statement. More detailed data would be forthcoming, the statement said. – Jake Thomas
People waiting to collect a one-time $500 relief payment sit outside of the Selco Community Credit Union in Salem on Thursday, August 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A line of people waiting to apply for a one-time $500 relief payment snakes through the drive-thru of the OnPoint Community Credit Union in Keizer on Thursday, August 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Matthew Bolduc, of Keizer, carries away his folding stool and a pizza box after collecting his relief payment at the OnPoint Community Credit Union in Keizer on Thursday, August 20. Bolduc, who is still waiting on unemployment payments, waited for five and a half hours outside of the credit union, ordering a pizza to be delivered to him in line. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A line of people wait outside of the OnPoint Community Credit Union to apply for a one-time $500 relief payment in Keizer on Thursday, August 20.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A sign in front of OnPoint Community Credit Union in Keizer on Thursday, August 20.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Stephanie Hills collects her one-time $500 relief payment at the Selco Community Credit Union in Salem on Thursday, August 20. Hills, who is currently living out of her car, had to quit her job after the pandemic started due to high-risk medical conditions. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A line of people wait outside of the OnPoint Community Credit Union to apply for stimulus checks in Keizer on Thursday, August 20.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Antonio Lopez, of Keizer, passes out water bottles at the OnPoint Community Credit Union in West Salem. Lopez purchased the water bottles using part of the one-time $500 relief payment he had just received. “A woman was passing out cheeseburgers to people in line earlier and I got one, I wanted to pay it forward,” Lopez said. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A line of more than 175 people waiting to collect a one-time $500 relief payment wraps around the OnPoint Community Credit Union in West Salem on Thursday, August 20.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A line of more than 175 people waiting to collect a one-time $500 relief payment wraps around the OnPoint Community Credit Union in West Salem on Thursday, August 20.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
SUPPORT ESSENTIAL REPORTING FOR SALEM – A subscription starts at $5 a month for around-the-clock access to stories and email alerts sent directly to you. Your support matters. Go HERE.
