SALEM, Ore. -- Starting Wednesday, Oregonians facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to apply for a one-time payment of $500.

To distribute payments, legislators turned to a handful of banks and credit unions with a total of more than 150 locations in the state.

"They know how to cut checks. They know how to do this," said House Speaker Tina Kotek. 

To be eligible, a person must:

• Be a current resident of Oregon and 18 years or older.
• Be able to prove their identity and that they are an in-state resident.
• Attest that they are experiencing severe financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive orders.
• Have earned $4,000/month or less pre-tax prior to their income loss due to COVID-19.
• Not have received all unemployment payments they are owed.

Oregonians who think they may qualify should click here to apply.

On July 14, the Legislative Emergency Board allocated $35 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to provide $500 one-time payments to Oregonians who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

The unique public-private partnership with participating financial institutions will allow approximately 70,000 Oregonians across the state to conveniently access relief funds during a time of great economic uncertainty.

"We have to get creative and just make something work, which is what we've done," Kotek said.

Kotek said as of 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, about 240 already applied. Applications will be approved until the $35 million fund runs out.