Base Period

• The state of Oregon uses a base period to determine eligibility for benefits, as well as the weekly benefit amount. The base period, according to Oregon.gov, "is the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed at the time you file your initial application." The state uses the earnings during this period to calculate benefits.
  
  

Eligibility

• Claimants must meet monetary eligibility requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits. In Oregon, the claimant must have total earnings in the base period that is at least one-and-a-half times higher than the earnings in the highest paying quarter. In addition, the claimant must have earned at least $1,000 during the base period, as of 2011. Claimants for benefits must be physically capable of work when collecting compensation.
  
  

Filing Claims

• Oregon unemployment claimants must file a claim with the Department of Employment to collect benefits. Claimants must supply a social security number, name, address and telephone number when filing with the state. Oregon also requires a work history for the last 18 months including name of the employer, dates of employment, employer address and telephone number. The claim for unemployment benefits also requires the salary earned with each employer.
  
  

Benefits

• The minimum benefit amount in Oregon is $116 and the maximum is $496, as of February 2011, according to the Oregon Department of Employment. Oregon calculates the weekly benefit amount using the total wages in the base period. Claimants can receive 1.25 percent of the total earnings up to the maximum amount. The duration of benefits is 26 weeks in Oregon, but benefits may be extended during high unemployment periods.
  
  

Work Search Requirements

• The Oregon Department of Employment requires claimants to conduct a work search while collecting benefits. The state does not require claimants to contact a specific number of employers each week while collecting compensation; however claimants should keep a record of employer contacts to provide proof of work search efforts.