As a hardworking individual in Oregon, I've often found myself needing to claim unemployment benefits for short periods of time - usually just one or two weeks out of the year. However, the current system includes a "waiting week" during which benefits are not paid. This becomes an issue when that week is the only week I would claim, and it goes completely unpaid.

This isn't just my personal struggle; it's an issue affecting many workers across our state who rely on these benefits during brief periods of unemployment. It's especially problematic given that this policy doesn't differentiate between those who are living off unemployment and those who only need to claim once or twice a year.

According to data from the U.S Department of Labor, as of 2021, Oregon is one among few states still enforcing this waiting period. This outdated rule adds unnecessary hardship on individuals already facing financial strain due to job loss.

We propose that Oregon follow suit with other states like California and New York which have abolished such waiting weeks for their citizens. By doing so, we can ensure immediate financial support for those temporarily out of work without penalizing them with an unpaid waiting week.

Join us in urging lawmakers in Oregon to eliminate this unnecessary waiting week for unemployment claims. Your signature can make a difference by helping bring about much-needed change in our state's unemployment benefit system. Please sign this petition today!