How do I apply for unemployment in Oregon: What most people get wrong

Losing a job is a gut punch. Honestly, the last thing you want to do while processing a layoff is navigate a government website that looks like it was designed in 1998. But here is the thing: Oregon actually updated its system recently. If you are sitting there wondering how do I apply for unemployment in Oregon in 2026, you aren't looking for the old "Online Claim System" anymore.

You need Frances.

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Frances Online is the state's all-in-one portal for both Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Leave Oregon. It is named after Frances Perkins, the first female U.S. Secretary of Labor, which is a cool bit of trivia, but it won't help you pay rent. Knowing how to navigate the portal without getting your claim flagged for "adjudication"—which is basically government-speak for "we need to investigate this and it's going to take forever"—will.

The Frances Online shift and what you need first

Before you even touch a keyboard, you've gotta gather your life. Most people jump in half-cocked and then get timed out because they can't find their boss's zip code.

You need your complete work history for the past 18 months. This isn't just "I worked at Target." You need the specific start and end dates. You need the addresses and phone numbers. If you worked for five different companies in a year and a half, you need the details for all five.

One big tip? Find your W-2 or a recent paystub. You’ll need the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or the Business Identification Number (BIN). Searching for an employer by name in the system is like trying to find a specific "John Smith" on Facebook. It’s messy. Using the FEIN ensures you’re linking your claim to the right tax account, which prevents massive delays later.

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A quick checklist for your initial claim:

• Social Security Number (or USCIS number if you aren't a citizen).
• Valid email address—this becomes your username.
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (highly recommended over the debit card).
• Gross earnings for your last week of work (even if you haven't been paid yet).

Stepping through the application

Basically, you go to frances.oregon.gov and create a "Claimant" account. If you’ve already used this for Paid Leave Oregon, don't make a new one. Just log in with those credentials.

The application itself is a bit of a marathon. It’s going to ask you about your "base year." In Oregon, your weekly benefit amount—which for 2026 currently ranges from a minimum of $204 to a maximum of $872—is calculated based on what you earned during the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters.

It feels like a math quiz you didn't study for. Just provide the info they ask for honestly.

One part where people trip up is the "job search" section. Even if you just got laid off yesterday, the system wants to know your "Primary Occupation." This is what you’ll be looking for. If you were a barista but want to be a rocket scientist, list the work you are actually qualified to do right now. Oregon requires most people to register for iMatchSkills and sometimes visit a WorkSource Oregon center for a "Welcome Conversation." Don't ignore those emails. If you don't show up to the conversation, they will cut off your money.

The "Waiting Week" and the weekly claim cycle

Here is the part that everyone hates. Your first week of eligibility is a "waiting week."

You apply. You file your first weekly claim. You get $0.

It’s required by law. You only have to do it once per benefit year, but it’s a total buzzkill when you’re counting every penny.

After that initial application, you have to file a weekly claim every single week between Sunday and Saturday. If you forget to file for a week, your claim "expires" or goes "inactive." To get it started again, you have to go through the "Restart My Claim" process in Frances Online, which is just extra paperwork you don't need in your life.

Realities of the 2026 landscape

If you are out of work because of a strike, things changed recently. Since January 2026, thanks to Senate Bill 916, some striking workers in Oregon can actually qualify for benefits. This was a huge point of contention in the legislature, but it's the current reality. If you're on a picket line, check the specific eligibility rules because they are narrower than a standard layoff.

Why your claim might be stuck

If you see a status that says "In Review," don't panic immediately, but do check your "Action Center" in Frances. Often, the Employment Department just needs you to verify your identity.

You can actually do this in person at a U.S. Post Office now. You select the option in Frances, get a barcode, and take it to the post office with your ID. It’s often way faster than waiting for a specialist to call you from a blocked number.

Speaking of calls—if the Employment Department calls you, it will probably show up as "Unknown" or "Blocked." Answer it. If they can't reach you, they might just deny the claim because they couldn't "resolve the issue."

Actionable next steps to get paid

1. Create your Frances Online account immediately. Don't wait until Monday. The date you file determines the start of your claim.
2. Gather your FEIN numbers from your old W-2s to ensure your employer data is 100% accurate.
3. File your first weekly claim the Sunday after you apply, even if you haven't heard back about your approval yet.
4. Register for iMatchSkills.org within the first week. The system checks this.
5. Check your mail (the physical kind). Even though Frances is "online," Oregon law still requires them to send certain "monetary determinations" through the USPS.

If you get stuck, the phone line is 1-877-345-3484, but honestly, try the "Contact Us" ticket system inside Frances first. It creates a digital paper trail, and you won't have to listen to hold music for three hours.