PORTLAND– Losing a job and figuring out what to do next can be overwhelming and stressful. Luckily, there’s somewhere you can go for help. The WorkSource Portland Metro (WSPM) Layoff Transition Assistance team provides free support to help connect recently laid-off workers with essential public services like unemployment insurance benefits, healthcare coverage, rent or housing assistance, training and education resources, and career counseling.

The first session, offered via Zoom, is on Thursday, April 3 at 10 AM PST. The information sessions help workers laid off due to a permanent closure or workforce reduction navigate available unemployment benefits and reemployment resources. Ultimately, the goal is to help laid-off workers swiftly transition into a new quality job. Access and availability of wrap-around services help reduce the added pressure of maintaining essential needs like housing, food, and healthcare, which allows workers to focus on the future and bounce back more quickly.

The expert-led session will cover how to access:

• Unemployment Insurance benefits and enrollment
• Employment and training opportunities
• Health coverage options (Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace)
• Community resources & additional WorkSource Portland Metro services

Additional sessions will be offered each month, hosted by a local WorkSource Portland Metro Center:

• April 3, 2025: 10 – 11:30 AM on Zoom (hosted by WorkSource SE Portland)
• May 21, 2025: 9 – 10:30 AM at WorkSource Beaverton-Hillsboro
• June 18, 2025: 9 – 10:30 AM at WorkSource Tigard
• July 24, 2025: 1:30 – 3:30 PM WorkSource Gresham
• August 12, 2025: 2 – 3:30 PM at WorkSource N/NE Portland

Registration for the April event is open now at https://tinyurl.com/layoffsupportportland.

Materials and presentations are available in seven languages, and additional ADA accommodations are available.

Layoff Aversion & Transition Assistance, also known as Rapid Response, is a free public service that helps employers manage or minimize layoffs and connects affected workers to essential resources like unemployment benefits, healthcare, training, career counseling, and more.

Partners include the Oregon Employment Department Unemployment Insurance Division, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, and WorkSource Portland Metro. Worksystems, the Portland Metro Workforce Development Board, helps to coordinate these sessions.
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Release Date: March 26, 2025
End Date: August 12, 2025
Media Contact: Rachael Brown (she/her),Worksystems Communications Manager
[email protected] | 503-478-7361