Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Department of Human Services Search Site

SNAP Food Benefits

Electronic benefits theft is increasing. To protect benefits, some Oregon EBT cards are being turned off quickly when suspicious activity is detected.​

If you see a balance on your EBT card but it still isn't working, it may have been turned off to prevent fraud. You can call the ONE Customer Service Center (800-699-9075) or your local ODHS office to find out if that's what happened. 

If your card was turned off because of suspected fraud:

  • We will automatically send you a new one. You should get it within 5 days.
  • If you need a new card right away, visit your local ODHS office. Staff can help you get a replacement as quickly as possible.

Because these cards are shut off right away, we can't always notify people ahead of time. We know it can be stressful to have your EBT card declined, especially when you're trying to meet your family's needs.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your benefits.​

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly food benefits to help you buy healthy food.

Apply, renew or report changes Log in to ONEAbout SNAPGet a SNAP benefit estimateUpdates on federal changes

SNAP helps people pay for groceries, learn about nutrition, and get job training and support. SNAP helps you stretch your food budget, but may not meet all your food needs. Visit our food resources page if you need more help getting food.

Individuals and families who:

​Some able-bodied adults who aren't caring for children need to meet work requirements​ in order to get SNAP benefits for longer ​than three months.

Need help to see if you qualify?

  • You can ​call 211 or contact 211info if you need help.
  • Older adults and people with disabilities can get the best help by contacting ​the Oregon Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). Call 855-673-2372 ​or visit the ADRC website.

Eligible non-citizens

As of Oct. 1, 2025, the following groups of non-citizens can get SNAP benefits if they are living in the United States: 

  • ​​Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
    • People with a green card who meet extra rules
  • C​uban or Haitian Entrants
  • COFA nationals living in the U.S.
    • ​People from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau. COFA stands for “Compacts of Free Association,” which lets people from these islands live and work in the U.S. 

​Note: ODHS has asked for guidance about SNAP eligibility for people with other immigration statuses. We will update this page as we get more information.​

Many people enter the United States under one status and are later granted another status. Oregon uses the most recent status granted by USCIS to determine SNAP eligibility.​

Getting SNAP benefits won't affect your ability to:

  • Stay in the U.S. 
  • Get Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status 
  • Keep your green card status 
  • Become a U.S. citizen

Getting SNAP benefits does not count toward public charge.

​Information for college and higher education students

​Students ages 18 to 49 who are enrolled more than half-time in college or other higher education can usually only get SNAP if they meet a special condition (called an exemption).

Higher education includes college, university, trade schools and​​​ technical schools. The school decides what "​half-time" enrollment means.

In Oregon, students in higher education may be able to get SNAP if they meet all SNAP eligibility requirements and are:

  • Working or self-employed more than 20 hours per week​ (includes internships, externships, graduate assistantships and graduate fellowships)
  • Participating in federal or state funded work study
  • Receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Receiving Unemployment Compensation
  • In school because of employer-sponsored training
  • Participating in an Employment Department Training Program
  • Enrolled in a program or course of study that will lead to employment
  • Responsible for the care of a child under age 6 in a one- or two-parent home
  • Responsible for the care of a child between ages 6 and 12 in a one- or two-parent home, and ODHS has determined that adequate child care is not available to allow the student to attend class or work at least 20 hours a week
  • A single parent responsible for the care of a child under age 12

Information for older adults​​

  • ​Adults age 60 or older can have their out-of-pocket medical costs counted to offset their income. This could qualify them for more benefits. Proof of these medical costs is required.
  • Adults age 65 or older who live in Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington counties can get their SNAP benefits as a direct deposit, check or on an EBT card. This can make using benefits easier.
  • For older adults who have trouble getting to the store, a trusted person can buy food on their behalf using their SNAP benefits. You'll need to fill out an alternate payee form. You can do this when you apply or any time after.
  • Older adults can have th​eir full shelter costs included when determining their SNAP benefits. 

The table below gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) that most people or families can earn and still be in this program.

People in family ​Mont​hly income limit
​1
$2,609
2
$3,525
3
$4,442
4
$5,359
5
$6,275
6
$7,192
7
$8,109
​8
$9,025
+1
+$917

These a​mounts are effective from March 2025 ​through February 2026. ​Income guidelines in other states may be different.

Apply and get approved​

Use your EBT card to buy food

Meet work requirements or request an exemption

  • You might need to follow SNAP work rules if you are 18 to 64 years old and don't have a child under age 14 on your SNAP case.
  • Some people are exempt from work rules. If you think you are exempt, it's very important that you let us know.
  • If you need to follow the work rules, you can get help through the Oregon Employment Department.
  • If you aren't exempt and don't follow the work rules, you can only get SNAP for three months in a 3-year period.
Note: Right now, work rules only apply if you live in one of these six counties: Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill. Starting in January 2026, work rules will apply in all Oregon counties.

Renew your benefits

  • When it's time to ​​renew your benefits​, we'll send you ​a renewal packet or notice. This happens 45 days before your renewal is due. You may also get a phone call to remind you to renew.​

Report changes if needed

  • If your circumstances change, you may need to report the change​ to us.​ ​This includes things like ​changes in your income or who lives with you.

​You can apply online, by phone or in person at a local o​ffice​. 

When you apply for SNAP, you can also apply for other benefits like cash assistance and Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid).

​Apply now​

​If ​you lose food purchased with SNAP because​ of a storm, flooding, fire or power outage, we may be able to replace your benefits​. 

Electronic benefits theft from EBT cards is on the rise. If benefits are stolen from your EBT card, cancel your card right away​.

​SNAP Quality Control (QC) reviews​ are random checks to make sure that Oregon families get the right ​amount of SNAP benefits on time. They also check if applications are accepted or denied correctly.

You may be contacted by the QC review unit if your household is chosen for a review.​

Double Up Food Bucks is a program that can help you stretch your SNAP dollars when you buy healthy foods. 

You can get up to $20 in extra SNAP benefits to get more fresh fruits and veggies at participating farmers markets, grocery stores and through farm shares (CSAs). 

Learn more at DoubleUpOregon.org.


Resources for SNAP families

Medical, food, cash and child care benefitsBenefits questionsEBT card helpNutrition education (SNAP-ed)Employment and trainingMore food resources

Other programs you may qualify for

Discounted energy bills

The Income-Qualified Bill Discount program through PGE offers a monthly discount between 15% and 60% off your energy bill.

Visit the PGE website to see if you qualify

Save on your monthly energy bill with Pacific Power's Low-Income Discount (LID) program.

Visit the Pacific Power website to see if you qualify

Free or discounted phone or high-speed internet

If you have SNAP, you are likely to qualify for free or discounted phone or internet service through the Oregon Lifeline or Tribal Lifeline program. There are also other ways to qualify.

Visit the Public Utility Commission website to learn about Lifeline

Help paying for child care

Oregon has several programs to help families afford child care. This includes Employment-Related Day Care (ERDC), Head Start, Preschool Promise and more.

Learn about child care assistance programs

Head Start

Head Start offers free preschool and early childhood education for children ages 0 to 5. Families who have SNAP are eligible for Head Start.

Find a Head Start program near you

Parenting support

Family Support and Connections is an optional program that provides parenting support for families with low-income. You can choose what support you want for your family. 

Family Support and Connections program

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) does not discriminate against anyone. This means that ODHS will help all who qualify and will not treat anyone differently. See the USDA nondiscrimination statement for more information.