(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Oregonians who file claims for unemployment insurance starting July 3 will see their minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts increase by about 7%, the state Employment Department announced Wednesday.
The agency is required under state law to recalculate the minimum and maximum amounts annually for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
The minimum benefit reflects 15% of the average weekly wage earned by Oregonians, while the maximum is 64% of the average weekly wage.
The 7% increase is due to growth in the state’s average weekly wage in 2021, according to a news release.
Starting July 3, the minimum weekly benefit for new regular unemployment insurance claims will increase by $12, from $171 per week to $183. The maximum benefit will increase by $50, from $733 per week to $783.
People who file new claims before then will continue receiving their previous weekly benefit amount.
During the most recent quarter, 15% of those with regular unemployment insurance received the minimum amount, with 20% receiving the maximum.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
