COVID-19 Vaccine
For information on the vaccine and where to get vaccinated, click here.
SEIU 503 members are essential workers who are keeping our state running during the pandemic. It’s times like these that we’re thankful we are together in union, because together we can make sure our voices are heard.
Quick links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find information about the vaccine?
A: Click here for vaccine information from SEIU and links to additional resources.
Q: I can’t work. Will I lose benefits or pay?
A: When the pandemic hit, the Trusts changed their eligibility rules to protect people who were losing hours. That change expired on June 30, 2020 and normal eligibility rules are in effect. If you go two calendar months in a row with no bargaining unit work (or if zero hours are reported), after a grace period of one calendar month you will no longer be eligible for Carewell SEIU 503 benefits—including Healthcare Cost Assistance, Dental, Vision + Hearing, or Employee Assistance Program benefits.
If you’re not getting hours because you or your client has COVID-19, or if you have to stay at home to care for your child due to school or daycare closure, you may have some protections.
Q: I lost income. Are there any programs that can help?
A: Yes. First, you can apply for cash assistance through the Carewell CARES PTO program. Click here to learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply. Second, if you’re experiencing financial hardship you can apply for cash assistance through SEIU 503’s Hardship Fund. Finally, you may also file for unemployment even if you’re just waiting for things to settle down so you can get your hours back. Claims can be filed at Oregon.gov/employ or by calling 1-877-FILE-4-UI (1-877-345-3484).
Q: How can I get medical grade PPE?
DHS has some medical grade PPE available and SEIU is pushing them to provide it to SEIU members who need it. Click here for details.
Q: How can I get tested?
A: Homecare workers who are eligible for medical benefits can also get free COVID tests through Carewell. Click here for details.
Q. Do I need a document proving that I’m an essential worker?
A: No. Even during stay-at-home orders you can go about your business without documentation. However, many workers feel more comfortable with documentation. You can get an essential worker letter here.
Q: Will I lose my provider number for missing work?
A: No. Our Union reached an agreement with DHS to prevent any worker from losing their provider number due to COVID-19 related work stoppages. If you are not able to work for any related reason, please notify your case manager.
Respite Care
Need respite care? Click here to view a list of SEIU members who are available to pick up hours. Need more work? Click here to submit your information to the respite care list.
Free Covid Training Class for Care Providers
This optional course is free to all homecare and personal support workers in Oregon. Care providers play an essential role in keeping our communities safe and healthy. That’s why Carewell SEIU 503 Training is offering a new training to help you navigate COVID-19 in your day-to-day work. Join this two-hour webinar to learn the basics of keeping you and those you support safe.
Are you facing eviction or housing insecurity?
Oregon has a new eviction moratorium valid throughout the state from December 23, 2020-June 30, 2021. If you are unable to pay rent, you must give your landlord a signed statement in order to protect yourself from eviction.
Click here for additional information on the moratorium. Click here for a template of the signed statement.
Haga clic aquí para obtener información adicional. Haga clic aquí para firmar una declaración.
PTO for missed hours
Through the Carewell SEIU 503 CARES PTO benefit, eligible workers can get up to 80 hours of paid time off benefits. You may be eligible if you lost hours between June 1, 2020-December 31, 2020 for one of five eligible reasons relating to COVID-19, you worked at least 40 hours of eligible working hours (also known as bargaining unit hours), and you have a Form W-9 on file with the Benefits Administrative Office.
Child Care
If you are continuing to work during this public health emergency and need child care, please call 211info to get connected with a provider as soon as possible. We’ve put together a guide for SEIU members who are trying to apply.
Unemployment Benefits
Governor Brown has issued an executive order loosening the rules around unemployment to help people who are quarantined or temporarily out of work due to COVID-19 – this includes people who need to stay at home to care for a child. Claims can be filed at Oregon.gov/employ or by calling 1-877-FILE-4-UI (1-877-345-3484).
- Instrucciones para Trabajadores de Cuidado en el Hogar y Trabajadores de Apoyo Personal acerca de como aplicar para el beneficio de desempleo
- Как подать заявление на получение пособия по безработице для работников по уходу на дому и работников личной поддержки.
- 家庭看护(HCW/PSW)如何申请失业救济金
Letter of Agreement with DHS
SEIU 503 has signed a letters of agreement – which is like a short-term contract – laying out rules for homecare and personal support workers during this crisis. Click here for the latest labor/management agreements.
PPE
Do you need medical grade PPE? DHS has limited supplies and our Union is helping collect the names of people who need it, so we can push the Agency to prioritize PPE for workers who need it.
Please fill out this form to put your name on the list.
Translated Forms
- 如果您想要在DHS办公室取得个人防护用品后与您通知请填此表。
- Por favor complete este formulario si quisiera recibir equipos de protección personal cuando los mismos estén disponibles en el Departamento de Servicios Humanos (DHS).
- Пожалуйста, заполните форму, если вы хотите получить средства индивидуальной защиты, когда они станут доступны в DHS.
- Fadlan buuxi foomka haddii aad jeceshahay inaad hesho qalab-ilaalin shaqsiyeed marka laga heli karo DHS.
Community Resource Guide
With information on state and county resources, food assistance, low cost healthcare, childcare and more, our resource guide is an attempt to pull together all the resources in the state that are available to people impacted by COVID-19.
Employee Assistance Program
If you are eligible for benefits through the Benefit Trust, you also have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides resources to help you in your personal life, from meeting health goals to getting your household finances in order. EAP services are free to you and include 24-hour crisis help, up to five face-to-face counseling sessions for every 12 months (per issue), online mental health consultations, access to discounted legal and financial services, and more.
You can access services by visiting ibhsolutions.com or calling 1-866-750-1327. Your access code is: OHWBT.
EAP Benefits Summary (PDF)
Beneficios del Programa de Asistencia al Empleado
Программа Помощи Работникам
Fact Sheets & Information
- Oregon Health Authority has published a fact sheet specifically for homecare workers.
- 211 is the go-to public phone number to get information about Novel Coronavirus and referrals to programs for food, shelter, health care and more. CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155; TEXT your zip code to 898211 (TXT211); EMAIL help@211info.org.
- Visit the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 website for weekly public updates about how many people are being monitored in Oregon, as well as sharing updates about how Oregon families can help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
- Ten Steps for preventing Coronavirus | Diez pasos para prevenir el Coronavirus
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Regarding the Coronavirus and xenophobia — read this article in TIME magazine, and this one from the Los Angeles Times.