The State of Oregon Preferred
Worker Program encourages the re-employment of qualified Oregon workers who have permanent
disabilities from on-the-job injuries and who are not able to return to their regular
employment because of those injuries. The program is funded by worker and employer
contributions to the Workers' Benefit Fund. Preferred workers can offer cost-saving
options to Oregon employers who hire them.
Eligible
employers
Employers
must maintain Oregon workers' compensation insurance and comply with the Oregon workers'
compensation law.
Eligible
workers
Workers must have permanent
disability as a result of a disabling compensable injury or disease sustained on the
job in Oregon and must not be released for regular employment.
Major
program benefits
Premium
exemption: An employer does not pay workers' compensation insurance premiums or premium
assessments on a preferred worker for three years from the date of hire or date of eligibility.
Claim cost reimbursement: This protects the employer from the costs of a new workers'
compensation claim if the preferred worker files during the premium exemption period.
Wage subsidy: The employer receives 50 percent wage reimbursement for the preferred
worker for 183 days. Wage subsidy may be used one time each with two different employers
or twice with the same employer for two different jobs.
Employment purchases:
Assistance necessary for a worker to find, accept, or retain employment
in Oregon:
Tuition, books,
and fees for instruction to update existing skills
($1,000 maximum reimbursement).
Temporary lodging,
meals, and mileage to attend instruction when overnight travel is required
($500 maximum expenditure).
Tools and equipment
mandatory for employment ($2,500 maximum expenditure).
Clothing required
for the job ($400 maximum expenditure).
Moving expenses
for a job in Oregon if the new worksite is more than 50 miles from the worker's
primary residence.
Initiation fees,
or back dues and one month's current dues, required by a labor union.
Occupational
certification, licenses, and related testing costs ($500 maximum expenditure).
Worksite creation
costs that occur with creating a new job for a preferred worker ($5,000 maximum
expenditure). All items purchased in this category belong to the employer.
Placement assistance
provided by a public or private agency that provides placement services, that
resulted in employment that the preferred worker retained for at least 90 days.
(Maximum $2000 expenditure).
Miscellaneous
purchases that don't fit in any other categories but are necessary for the
preferred worker to find, accept, or retain employment in Oregon ($2,500 maximum
expenditure per claim opening).
Worksite modification: Modifications can include tools, equipment, and worksite
redesign needed to overcome injury-caused permanent limitations so the worker can do
the job. They may be used once with one employer and once with a second employer or twice
with the same employer if there is a job change. Modifications are limited to a maximum
of $25,000 on the claim that qualified the worker for assistance.
For
more information contact:
Salem:
800-445-3948, 503-947-7588
Medford: 800-445-3948, 541-776-6032
If you have questions about this webpage, please contact Delmi Hernandez, 503-947-7797.
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