Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 436 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES, WORKERS' COMPENSATION DIVISION › Division 110 - PREFERRED WORKER PROGRAM › Section 436-110-0345 - Employment Purchases - General Provisions

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) General provisions. An employment
			 purchase is assistance necessary for a worker to find, accept, or retain
			 employment in Oregon. Purchases may be provided for a job with a nonsubject
			 employer in Oregon, as long as that employer complies with the appropriate
			 workers' compensation law. Employment purchases may not be used if the worker
			 has permanent restrictions but returns to regular work. Except as provided in
			 subsection (2)(i) of this rule, all purchases become the worker's property.
(2) Types of purchases. Employment
			 purchases are limited to:
(a) Tuition, books,
			 and fees for instruction provided by an educational entity accredited or
			 licensed by an appropriate body in order to update existing skills or to meet
			 the requirements of an obtained job. This category can be used as often as
			 necessary up to a maximum of $2,000, with each use limited to $1,000;
(b) Temporary lodging, meals, and
			 mileage to attend instruction when overnight travel is required. Reimbursable
			 costs must be incurred within a 30-day period of time. The cost of meals,
			 lodging, public transportation, and use of a personal vehicle will be
			 reimbursed at the rate published in Bulletin 112. This category can be used as
			 often as necessary up to a maximum of $1,000;
(c) Tools and equipment mandatory for
			 employment. Purchases must not include items the worker possesses, duplicate
			 worksite modification items, vehicles, or items needed for worksite creation.
			 This category can be used as often as necessary up to a maximum of $5,000, with
			 each use limited to $2,500;
(d)
			 Clothing required for the job. This category can be used as often as necessary
			 up to a maximum of $1,000, with each use limited to $500;
(e) Transportation-related purchases, not
			 including vehicles or vehicle maintenance, that enable the worker to commute to
			 a job such as, but not limited to, bus fare, gasoline, or repairs to an
			 existing vehicle. This category can be used as often as necessary up to a
			 maximum of $1,000, requested within 90 days of hire;
(f) Moving expenses for a job if the new
			 worksite is in Oregon and 50 or more miles from the worker's primary residence.
			 When the worker's permanent disability from the injury precludes the worker
			 from commuting the required distance, moving expenses may be provided to move
			 within 50 miles of the worker's primary residence or within the distance the
			 worker commuted for work at claim opening. The worker must complete, sign, and
			 submit Form 3293, "Preferred Worker Moving Assistance Agreement." Moving
			 expenses are limited to one use. Expenditure is limited to:
(A) The cost of moving household goods
			 weighing not more than 10,000 pounds and reasonable costs of meals and lodging
			 for the worker. The cost of meals, lodging, public transportation, and use of a
			 personal vehicle will be paid at the rate published in Bulletin 112. Lodging
			 and meals are limited to a maximum period of two weeks. Mileage for one
			 personal vehicle is limited to a single one-way trip; and
(B) Rental allowance for the worker's primary
			 residence limited to first month's rent as specified in the rental agreement,
			 nonrefundable deposit in an amount not to exceed the first month's rent, and a
			 required credit check for that residence;
(g) Initiation fees, or back dues and one
			 month's current dues, required by a labor union. This category can be used as
			 often as necessary up to a maximum of $1,000;
(h) Occupational certification, licenses, and
			 related testing costs, drug screen testing, physical examinations, or
			 membership fees required for the job. This category can be used as often as
			 necessary up to a maximum of $1,000, with each use limited to $500;
(i) Worksite creation costs that are limited
			 to equipment, furnishings, or other things the employer needs to create a new
			 job for the worker. A completed and signed Form 4122, "Preferred Worker
			 Worksite Creation Agreement," must be submitted to the division. All items
			 purchased are the property of the employer. This category can be used as often
			 as necessary up to a maximum of $10,000, with each use limited to $5,000; and
(j) Miscellaneous purchases that
			 do not fit into subsections (a) through (i) of this section, subject to
			 approval by the director. This category does not include a vehicle purchase.
			 This category can be used as often as necessary up to a maximum of $2,500.