(Salem, OR) -- Oregon's state-run paid leave program starts taking applications on Monday. The first leave can start September 3rd with payments going out through direct deposit or prepaid cards two weeks later. Paid Leave Oregon will cover time off for family members, illness, and safe leave. Around 41-thousand claims are expected at the start and then 12-thousand a month as the program moves forward. Grants are available for small businesses to help cover for employees while they're on leave. Eleven states have similar programs. Details at paidleave-dot-oregon-dot-gov.