If your employer has an equivalent plan, you must apply under that plan instead of participating in the state’s paid leave plan. Ask your employer for instructions on how to apply.
To apply for benefits under the state plan (Paid Leave Oregon), follow these steps:
Step 1: Have your documents ready
You’ll need at least 1 of the following for each medical leave request:
- Paid Leave Oregon Verification of Serious Health Condition Form
- Oregon and Federal Family and Medical Leave Health Care Provider Certification
- Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Employer-issued FMLA certification for a serious health condition.
- Other documentation from a health care provider that includes the following:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- A short description or diagnosis, including symptoms or required treatment of your serious health condition
- The approximate date the serious health condition began or the date the serious health condition created the need for leave
- The expected end date or an explanation that the condition is chronic or permanent
- For intermittent leave, an explanation of how often, and for how long, the condition impacts you
- The health care provider’s:
- First and last name
- Type of medical practice or specialty
- Contact information such as business name, address, and phone number
- Handwritten or electronic signature from the health care provider and the date the documentation was signed
Important: If the health care provider issues any of these documents before you start your leave, the health care provider must sign them within 60 days before you start your leave.
Step 2: Give notice to your employer
- For planned leave: If you know you will need to use Paid Leave, you need to let your employer know at least 30 days before taking leave.
- For unexpected leave: If you need to take leave unexpectedly, you must tell your employer (doesn’t have to be in writing) within 24 hours of starting your leave. You must give your employer written notice within 3 days of starting your leave. If you don’t give written notice to your employer, we may reduce your first weekly benefit payment by 25%.
Step 3: Apply for benefits
Use Frances Online to apply for benefits.
Frances Online is the quickest and easiest way to apply for Paid Leave. You can check your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you can’t access Frances Online, send us a paper application or call us at 833-854-0166. It may take longer for you to receive a response if you send a paper application.
At the earliest, you can send your application 30 days before you start your leave. At the latest, you can send it 30 days after you start your leave.
Have questions about how to use Frances Online? Visit our Frances Online Resources page. Create an account: Frances Online