Published: June 23, 2020

Great news! Our Union just signed a new LOA with the State securing more paid time-off if you missed work hours due to COVID-19. Click here to view the full Letter Of Agreement (LOA).

Carewell SEIU 503 Benefits is offering a temporary expanded paid leave benefit, Carewell SEIU 503 CARES PTO, to homecare and personal support workers. This leave benefit is in addition to the Carewell Hardship PTO benefit, which was offered March-May 2020. 

SEIU 503, Carewell and the State Of Oregon are currently working out the logistics and application process required for workers to access this new benefit. Stay tuned for details on how to apply in the coming weeks. For more information call the SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 1-844-503-SEIU (7348)

To be eligible for this temporary expanded leave benefit, you must experience and attest to missing covered work hours between June 1, 2020-December 31, 2020 for one of the following reasons:

  1. You had a confirmed case of COVID-19;
  2. You were advised by a qualified medical professional to self-quarantine due to potential exposure to COVID;
  3. You have symptoms of COVID-19 and are actively seeking a medical diagnosis by a qualified medical professional.
  4. You are providing care for an individual, who you are legally responsible for or live with, and who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order by a qualified medical professional; and/or         
  5. You are caring for a child who you are legally responsible for whose school or childcare facility has been closed due to COVID-19 precautions and no other qualified individuals are available to care for your child(ren).

This benefit provides a maximum of 80 hours of leave for eligible workers. Eligible workers can claim all 80 hours at once, or in increments (for example, if you are paid 20 hours of the benefit for hours lost in July, you could still claim up to 60 hours in any of the subsequent months in 2020 if you meet the criteria). There are two “tiers” of benefit available:

  • Up to 40 hours of PTO benefit: If you worked 40-79 hours in at least one of the last three months and you meet at least one of the five eligibility criteria described above, you are eligible to receive up to 40 hours of paid leave. 
  • Up to 80 hours of PTO benefit: If you worked 80 or more hours in at least one of the last three months  and you meet at least one of the eligibility criteria described above you are eligible to receive up to 80 hours of paid leave.

Again, SEIU 503, Carewell and the State Of Oregon are currently working out the logistics and application process required for workers to access this new benefit. Stay tuned for details on how to apply in the coming weeks. For more information call the SEIU 503 Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 1-844-503-SEIU (7348).