Legal Issue Spotting for Domestic Violence Advocates

There are government assistance programs, including TA-DVS, food stamps, and free health insurance, that can provide short-term financial assistance.

Share this guide with them. It provides information on Oregon's five restraining orders and walks applicants through the process of applying for one.

Let them know there are laws that protect them at work. For example, they may qualify for up to 12 weeks of paid time off through the new Paid Leave Oregon program. Or, they can ask their employer to make changes at their workplace to help them stay safe.

Encourage them to apply for unemployment benefits. Survivors can get unemployment if they quit their jobs because of domestic violence. They can also qualify if they quit or were fired for other reasons.

They might be able to kick their partner out (if they can afford to stay in the home) or get out of their lease with only 14 days' notice.

The family law section on Oregon Law Help has more than 70 articles written in plain language and translated into three languages, which help people understand how to start a case, where to find help, and more. 

They can sign a delegation of parental powers form, which gives a non-parent temporary permission to care for their child. Find the form here.