Worker Relief Fund FAQ

The Oregon Worker Relief Fund provides temporary financial relief to those who have lost wages in Oregon to COVID-19 and are ineligible for financial assistance from the federal and state programs due to their immigration status.

You are eligible to apply for temporary financial assistance through the Relief Fund if:

  • You live in Oregon
  • You are 18 years of age or older
  • You lost wages because of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • You are not eligible for other assistance programs because of your immigration status
  • You have never applied to the Relief Fund
    • OR you have applied before and been denied, but your circumstances have changed
    • OR you have applied and received cash relief once before.

If your application is approved, you can receive between $625 and $2,500 depending on your situation.

To start your application, call 1-888-274-7292.

You will need to provide a valid form of identification. Your ID can be from outside the United States. When you apply, a trained staff member will make sure you have a form of ID that meets the requirements. If you don’t have a valid form of ID, staff will advise you on your next steps.

The fund will reopen on August 31, 2022.  You will be able to start your application on and after that date. Sign up to receive email and text updates.

Yes, if you still meet the eligibility requirements you can apply again. At this time, eligible Oregonians can receive an award from the Relief Fund up to two times.

Follow us on Facebook or visit our website for more information. You can also sign up to receive email and text updates here.

You will receive a text message notifying you that your application has been approved. You will receive another text message notifying you when your cash is on its way.

Our team will work with you to find a convenient, secure way to get you the cash assistance. This will vary depending on your situation.

Yes, we have interpreters available in many languages, including some Indigenous languages, who will help you apply.

Yes, please share this information with anyone you know who may qualify. For more information, they can visit our website or follow us on Facebook.

Unlike others who lost work as a result of COVID-19, many immigrants were excluded from any federal aid, unemployment, and other safety net programs, in spite of paying billions of dollars in local, state and federal taxes annually.

The Oregon Worker Relief Fund supports undocumented immigrants statewide who have been excluded from COVID relief programs but continue to struggle in an unpredictable economy where they face disproportionate economic impacts.

You can learn more about the positive impact of Oregon Worker Relief by reading our report, Narrowing The Gap.

Climate Change Fund FAQ

The Climate Change Fund provides temporary financial assistance to agricultural workers who lose work or wages because of extreme heat or smoke.

Call 1-888-274-7292 to start your application.

You are eligible to apply for the Climate Change Fund if:

  • You have done agriculture work in Oregon since February 1, 2020 or after
  • You lost work or wages because of wildfires, extreme heat, or smoke
  • You were affected by COVID-19

For the purposes of this fund, agricultural work includes:

  • Farming
  • Restaurant work
  • Landscaping
  • Fishing
  • Tree planting
  • Dairy work
  • Ranching
  • Food processing
  • Butchering
  • Nursery work
  • Food creation
  • And more!

If you don’t see your job listed, but you think you may qualify as an agricultural worker, call 1-888-274-7292 to get started.

When temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher where you live or work it is considered extreme heat.

The air and smoke is considered unhealthy when the air quality index (AQI) is 150 or higher. If you have certain health conditions like asthma, the air and smoke is unhealthy when the AQI is 100 or higher.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures how much pollution—like smoke—is in the air. The higher the number, the more health risks you face from being outside.

When the Air Quality Index is between 0-100, it is generally safe to be outside. When it is between 101-150, people with certain health conditions like asthma should limit outside activities. If the Air Quality Index is 151 or higher, the outdoor air is unhealthy for everyone.

Go to airnow.gov to find out if the air is safe to breathe in your area.

Yes, if you missed work because you were evacuated or lost your home you may qualify for financial assistance from this fund.

The Climate Change Fund is for all agricultural workers who work in Oregon and lose work or wages because of extreme heat or smoke.

The Worker Relief Fund is for workers without legal status who live in Oregon and lost work or wages due to COVID-19. Learn more about the Relief Fund here.

Currently, the Climate Change Fund is only available for 2022. We hope to get additional funding to continue the program next year.

As extreme heat and wildfires become more common in Oregon, agricultural workers are forced to choose between working in dangerous conditions or losing out on a paycheck.

Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, increased injuries and can even be life threatening. Breathing in air that is polluted with smoke can cause difficulty breathing, lung and heart disease and has been linked to premature death. 

Due to their working conditions, agricultural workers are more vulnerable than other workers to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Many agricultural workers cannot afford to miss a day of work and feel compelled to work even in unsafe conditions. 

No one should ever have to choose between a paycheck or their safety. With this fund, we are protecting the workers who face the most risks from the climate crisis. 

Yes, please share this information with anyone you know who may qualify. For more information, they can visit our website or follow us on Facebook.