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Eugene School District 4J

Equity. Excellence. Innovation.

Licensed

Reduction in Force Toolkit — Licensed

Frequently Asked Questions: Benefits

If I am laid off, when do my district medical benefits end?

For employees who complete their 2025-26 contract, benefits continue through Aug. 31, 2026.

Once my benefits have ended, what are my medical insurance options?

  1. You may continue on the same medical, vision and/or dental insurance you currently have by enrolling in COBRA coverage and paying the monthly premiums. You will receive a packet with enrollment instructions and rates from Benefit Help Solutions at the time your benefits end.
  2. You may apply for an individual or family policy with an insurance carrier of your choice. Your loss of income may qualify you for a subsidy through the federal Healthcare Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
  3. Insurance may be available through the Oregon Health Plan, including family coverage options. Information is available at www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/ohp or call 1-800-699-9075.

What is COBRA?

COBRA refers to federal regulations that give employees the right to continue group health insurance coverage after eligibility has ended. Laid-off employees may continue the same health insurance they had while working, for up to 18 months after separation. COBRA premiums are paid by the covered individual.

If I choose COBRA, can I move to less expensive plan?

During your COBRA coverage initial enrollment, you may choose the coverage that you had immediately before you qualified for COBRA. COBRA coverage will continue to provide the same health benefits as those for active employees. You may choose to discontinue dental and vision. You will have the ability to change your medical plan during the next open enrollment period.

What happens to my current medical deductible? Does it carry over?

If you elect coverage under COBRA, your current medical plan will continue, and any amounts accrued toward your existing deductible, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximum will not be lost. If you do not elect COBRA, amounts accrued under the 4J active employee plan will not carry over to a new plan.

What is Portability Insurance?

Portability Insurance plans are private policies available to those whose group benefit plan coverage ended. Portability plans are often at lower benefit levels and less costly than COBRA coverage.

How long can I use the 4J Wellness Clinic?

You may use the 4J Wellness Clinic until the end date of your district benefits. The clinic is available to benefits-eligible employees and their eligible dependents. COBRA participants or participants in other non-4J health plans are not eligible to use the 4J Wellness Clinic.

How long can I use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

You remain qualified for EAP services until the end of the month following the date your benefits end. EAP is provided through Canopy and has many great resources to help you through this transition period, including individual and family counseling sessions, and financial, debt and credit counseling. Up to eight no-cost sessions are allowed per person, per incident. Services are always confidential; no private information is reported to the district when you use EAP services. Services are available for anyone dependent on your income, regardless of age or where they live, and anyone living in your household, related or not.

It’s fast and easy to access EAP services. Call 1-800-433-2320 to request counseling services, provide your basic contact information, and let them know you are in the Eugene School District 4J group. The EAP intake staff can help direct you to services.

During a crisis, you may call to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day.

Should I fill my prescriptions before my coverage end date?

Your insurance will cover prescriptions until your coverage end date. If you elect COBRA coverage, you can continue to fill your prescriptions as usual. Prescription coverage is based on the date the prescription is filled, not when it is used, so feel free to maximize the insurance benefit while it is available to you. Mail order refills may be limited to correspond to your coverage end date (e.g. if the last day of your coverage is Aug. 31, a mail order prescription filled in late August may be limited to a 30-day supply rather than the typical 90-day supply).

Can I use my Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) funds?

Your TSA funds are available for distribution (payment) to you with your termination of all employment with the district. Significant tax penalties will apply if you are not yet age 591/2 when the distribution is made. You may have an option for a loan or hardship withdrawal as well. For information about your options, please contact PenServ Plan Services at 803-791-4923 or by email at service@penserv.com.

Frequently Asked Questions: Rights & Next Steps

I have received a layoff notice. What are my rights?

EEA-represented employees who are laid off will be placed on a recall list. Employees remain on the recall list for 27 months, recalled in the inverse order of their release, subject to contract terms. For detail, please refer to the EEA-4J Collective Bargaining Agreement Article 12.12—Reduction and Recall of Staff. Licensed RIF recall information is linked in the layoff notice, or contact hr_licensedRIF@4j.lane.edu.

Do I get a severance package if I am laid off?

Severance packages are not offered.

What happens to my accrued and unused paid time off?

Personal days are not paid out and must be used prior to your last contract day. Unused time will be lost.

Sick leave that is accrued and unused at the time of layoff will not be paid out. Under Oregon law, unused sick leave is not paid out when you leave a position, and your balance is reset to zero at separation. However, the hours you previously accrued are not lost, they remain on record. If you return to the same employer, your prior sick leave may be reinstated, and if you move to another eligible Oregon public employer, those hours may be transferred upon request. Sick leave does not continue to accrue while you are separated, and there may be conditions on when transferred or reinstated leave becomes available for use. Because details can vary based on district policies and collective bargaining agreements, employees are encouraged to contact Human Resources with any questions, 541-790-7670 or hr@4j.lane.edu.

If I apply for another job, am I considered a current employee?

Yes, you are considered a current employee in laid-off status.

Can I apply to be a sub?

Yes, you can easily indicate your interest in substitute teaching with 4J by completing the linked form in your layoff packet. You can also contact the sub desk directly at hr_subdesk@4j.lane.edu

How and when should I apply for unemployment benefits?

The State of Oregon Employment Department (https://www.oregon.gov/employ) administers unemployment benefits and makes all decisions regarding eligibility and payment of benefits. Filing your Oregon unemployment claim online is the fastest method for most people to begin receiving benefits. Oregon’s online claim system is easy, fast and secure. The system leads you through each question, step by step, and even advises you if you have made a mistake. Most of the questions have YES or NO answers, and HELP information is available at a click.

Your claim may be filed as soon as your separation of employment with 4J is complete. All claimants must serve one waiting week per claim before weekly benefits will be paid. You will not receive a payment for your waiting week. To qualify for the waiting week, all of the following must apply for you:

  • Have a valid claim
  • Claim the week (online or by phone)
  • Meet all eligibility requirements
  • Be unemployed

You may file a claim online at https://frances.oregon.gov/Claimant/_/ or call 1-877-345-3484. Find complete state unemployment insurance information online at https://unemployment.oregon.gov.

For job search assistance, visit WorkSource Oregon at https://worksourceoregon.org.

What resources are available to help me find a new job?

WorkSource Oregon from Oregon Employment Department (https://worksourceoregon.org) offers a wide range of services to find work or improve job skills. Services offered at no charge through statewide WorkSource Centers include job listings and referrals, including government jobs; child care resources and referral; occupational and labor market information; veterans services; vocational guidance; iMatchSkills® match your Skills to employers’ needs.

Job search help is available in person locally: WorkSource Lane, 2510 Oakmont Way Eugene, OR 97401, 541-686-7601, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed on legal holidays).

Contacts & Resources

State of Oregon Employment Resources

4J Human Resources

Eugene Education Association

Other Contacts

  • Oregon Educators Benefits Board (OEBB): 1-888-4MY-OEBB
  • Kaiser Permanente Medical/Pharmacy: 1-800-813-2000
  • MODA Medical/Pharmacy: 1-877-605-3229
  • Delta Dental: 1-888-217-2365
  • Willamette Dental: 1-855-433-6825
  • Canopy (EAP): 1-800 433-2320
  • Oregon PERS: 1-888-320-7377
  • PenServ Plan Services (TSA): 1-803-791-4923
  • Medicare: www.cms.hhs.gov; 1-800-MEDICARE
  • Oregon Medicaid Services (Oregon DHS): 1-800-527-5772