Resources for Seasonal Employees
As seasonal employees with the State of Oregon, you play a critical role in helping move Oregon forward.
Uplift Oregon is here to help you make the most of your seasonal benefits! If you’re new to state service, start by signing up for our two-hour benefits workshop, “Understanding Your Seasonal Benefits Package.” You’ll learn about your health insurance options, your retirement plan, how to put money back in your pocket with FSAs, and much more!
This workshop is mandatory for new seasonal state employees who are represented by SEIU 503, and should be taken on work time. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Overview of the benefits for seasonal employees
Download Flyer
2024 Benefits Presentation for Seasonal Employees
Download Presentation
Seasonal Employee Registration Kit
Download PDF
Survey: Understanding Your Seasonal Benefits Package
Give Feedback
Seasonal Employee Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am not eligible for PERS (Public Employees Retirement System)?
do have access to the Oregon Savings Growth Plan to help save for retirement.
Additionally, if you do not qualify for PERS, your union has negotiated that you will
have 6% added to your paycheck after you have worked 1,040 hours over the course
of multiple seasons.
How will I know if I am eligible for a PERS pension?
To find out if you are eligible for PERS, consult with someone at your agency HR representative or your manager.
If I qualify for a PERS pension, when do I begin my contributions?
You will begin making contributions to your Individual Account Program (IAP) when you have completed 6 months of full-time equivalent employment or 600 hours in a calendar year (6 calendar months of work) for one qualifying employer without a 30-day consecutive break. Overtime hours do not count toward the 600 hours in a calendar year goal.
When do my health benefits start?
Your health benefits start on the first of the month after you enroll. If you are a returning seasonal employee, you do not have to enroll, as benefits will be reinstated. Please note that any changes to your healthcare will need to go through PEBB (Public Employees’ Benefits Board) within the first 30 days of the start of your season. If you choose to enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA), you will need to reenroll if you are a returning seasonal employee.
When do my health benefits end?
When your benefits end depends on how many hours you worked in your last month of seasonal employment. If you worked at least 80 hours, your benefits will end on the last day of the following month.
Example: If your season ended in July and you worked 85 hours that month, your benefits would end on August 31st.
If you worked less than 80 hours in your last month, your benefits will end on the last day of the month you worked.
Example: If your season ended in July and you worked 65 hours in July, your benefits would end on July 31st.
When my seasonal employment ends, do I qualify for COBRA to continue my health coverage?
As a seasonal employee, you are eligible for COBRA when your seasonal position ends. Click here for more information on continuing your healthcare via COBRA, or contact your HR department.
How do I prevent a lapse in coverage?
BenefitHelp Solution (PEBB’s administrator for COBRA) will send you a letter about continuing your healthcare coverage through COBRA at least one month in advance of your last day of employment. If your season is ending in less than a month and you have not received a notice about COBRA, contact PEBB at 503-373-1102 or [email protected].
What happens if I opt out of health benefits?
coverage to your agency, you could receive up to $233 a month added to your
paycheck. You can still enroll in dental, vision, employee basic life insurance, and other optional benefits if you opt out of a health plan.
If I opt out of health care through PEBB, can I still take advantage of the $10,000 basic life insurance coverage?
What does it mean when you have “double coverage” when you work as a seasonal employee?
Is it ever beneficial to keep double coverage as a seasonal employee?
Only you can decide what works best for you and your family. If you are planning to have surgery or another costly procedure, it may make sense to have double coverage to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
If you have double coverage, you will be charged a monthly $5 surcharge that will come directly out of your paycheck. You will not pay a double coverage surcharge if you are:
- A part-time seasonal employee,
- A retiree who still has access to healthcare through PEBB or OEBB, or
- Enrolled in a COBRA plan.
As a seasonal employee do I qualify for optional insurance plans?
You qualify for most optional insurance plans, which include accidental death and dismemberment, long-term care, and life insurance. The only optional insurance plans that you do not qualify for are long- and short-term disability.
Since the workshop is required, when will I get credit in Workday?
Uplift Oregon works with your agency and the state to assure you get credit for taking Understanding Your Seasonal Benefits Package in Workday. However, there could be a lag between attending the webinar and credit being given in Workday. If you do not see the requirement as having been met in Workday after a week, please contact us at [email protected]. Please include your name, date you attended, and your OR number, and we can help get you entered.