What Happens After I File?

Applying for benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Program, also known as an initial claim, is an important first step. Next, you must complete certain tasks to be eligible for benefits. 

  • Some of these tasks must be completed by specific due dates.
  • Some tasks, such as weekly claims and job searches, must be completed every week if you want to get benefits.

If you do not complete these tasks, we may deny your benefits. Check your mail, email, and Frances Online account regularly for information from us. 

On this page:

The Oregon City Bridge arches over the Willamette River, connecting West Linn and Oregon City. Interstate 205 is in the background and river traffic passes below.

What do I need to do?

Every week, you must complete certain tasks to be eligible for benefits: 

  • Most claimants must look for work to be eligible for benefits.
  • You must file a weekly claim to show you are eligible.
  • Learn more on the Weekly Claims page.  

There are other tasks you must complete to be eligible. You may be asked to do these tasks one or more times. We will notify you through Frances Online and letters. You may need to: 

Check Frances Online and your mail regularly and respond immediately or we may deny your benefits. Tasks have due dates. Learn more on the Status Messages page.

The Wage and Potential Benefit Report

After you apply, we will send you a Wage and Potential Benefit Report. This tells you if you have a valid claim, and how much money you may be eligible to receive according to your base year wages. Carefully review your reported wages and hours in the report. If the information is wrong, you can request that we review your application again. 

If wages or hours are added or removed, you will receive a new Wage and Potential Benefit Report.  This is called a redetermination.

The report will also show you:  

  • Your weekly benefit amount. This is the amount you can receive every week if you meet all requirements.
  • Your maximum benefit amount. This is the total amount potentially available during your 52-week claim, known as your benefit year.
  • Your benefit year begin date and end date. You can only claim benefits for weeks falling between these dates. You can apply for benefits again after the end date.   
  • Employers you worked for in your base year. This may include only Oregon employers. It can take more time for us to get information about your federal employment, military wages, or employers outside of Oregon.
  • The wages and hours your employer reported that you worked each quarter in the base year of your claim.
  • Whether this statement is an initial determination or a redetermination.  

This letter may also provide other information about your claim. It will tell you if:

How long will it take to review my application?

It takes about three weeks to review most initial claims, make a decision about eligibility, and send you a Wage and Potential Benefit Report. 

Some claims are complex and require more time to review. Learn more on the Adjudication page. 

Here are some common reasons for a wait time longer than three weeks:

  • You missed a week or more of filing your weekly claim. This is the most common reason for a delay in getting benefits. You must file a weekly claim each week if you want to keep getting benefits, including the first week of your claim after filing your claim application. If you miss a week, you need to restart your claim. Learn more on the Restarting a Claim page.
  • You didn’t report your earnings in your weekly claim.
  • You had earnings from the military, federal government, or from working in another state. It takes more time for us to hear back from their systems.
  • Your case requires extra review. Our adjudication experts must talk to you, your employer, or others about your work status or income.

You can check Frances Online for updates and questionnaires about your claim. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • What is a quarter?

    The year is divided into four calendar quarters:

    • Quarter 1 (Q1): January, February, and March
    • Quarter 2 (Q2): April, May, and June
    • Quarter 3 (Q3): July, August, and September
    • Quarter 4 (Q4): October, November, and December

  • What is a base year?

    Your regular base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters preceding your benefit year. Your benefit year is the 52-week period starting when you file your initial claim.

    For example, if you applied for benefits in October 2025, your regular base year claim would include the third quarter of 2024 through the second quarter of 2025. Therefore, this base year would be from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The base year changes with each calendar quarter and is determined by the quarter when you file your initial claim.

  • What is an alternate base year?

    If you do not qualify for unemployment insurance using the regular base year, we will use the four most recently completed calendar quarters, which is known as an alternate base year.