Oregon program gets national attention from Obama’s jobs bill


Part of President Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill aims to emulate an Oregon program called the Self-Employed Assistance Program.

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Part of President Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill aims to emulate an Oregon program called the Self-Employed Assistance Program.

The Self-Employed Assistance Program allows unemployed workers to receive unemployment insurance while they turn an idea into a real business. People who want to participate are required to write a business plan and a market feasibility study that must be approved to qualify for the program. It’s been offered in Oregon since 1995 and officials say it has performed well.

The self-employment option allows workers to bypass what may be an unattractive job and, in its place, start a business while continuing to draw unemployment benefits.

Oregon and six other states offer the program. Other states are interested, but tight budgets make it nearly impossible to expand services. The jobs bill offered by the White House aims to make it easier for states to take part.

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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