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

Starting June 1

All households will have an interview​ when you apply or renew your SNAP benefits. This helps make sure you get the right amount of benefits. ​

If you have not received a renewal notice, you do not need to call or visit an office for an interview. We will contact you when it is time to renew.

 Get tips on how to prepare for your SNAP inter​view​

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

Log in to ONEApply or renewPrepare for SNAP interviewReport a changeLearn about SNAPGet a SNAP benefit estimateWork rules

About SNAP

SNAP helps people pay for groceries. 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.

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 more ​than three months. This is called having an "ABAWD status."​

Need help to see if you qualify?

  • You can ​call 211 or visit 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.

SNAP for non-citizens in Oregon

Some people who are not U.S. citizens can get SNAP food benefits in Oregon. You must:

  • Live in the United States
  • Meet all SNAP income and non-income rules
  • Have an eligible immigration status

Non-citizens in these groups may be able to get SNAP:

  • Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) if one or more of these is also true:
    • You have lived in the U.S. for 5 years*
    • You are under age 18
    • You have worked enough in the U.S. (40 qualifying work quarters)
    • You are blind or have a disability
    • You were 65 or older and living legally in the U.S. on Aug. 22, 1996
    • You or a family member served in the U.S. military
    • You are:
      • Admitted to the U.S. as an Amerasian immigrant
      • Certain American Indians born abroad
      • Certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
  • C​uban or Haitian Entrants
    • People who came to the U.S. as Cuban or Haitian Entrants may be eligible for SNAP if they meet regular SNAP rules. 
  • COFA citizens living in the U.S.
    • ​People from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau may be eligible. These countries have agreements with the U.S. called “Compacts of Free Association” (COFA). These agreements allow people to live and work in the U.S. and qualify for some benefits, including SNAP. 

*Lawful Permanent Residents may be exempt from the 5-year waiting period if they are:

  • Refugees
  • People granted asylum
  • People with deportation withheld
  • Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
  • Certain Afghan parolees (July 31, 2021 - Sep. 30, 2023)
  • Certain Ukrainian parolees (Feb. 24, 2022 - Sep. 30, 2024)
  • Victims of severe trafficking

​If your status is not listed: 

  • You can still apply. We can review your​ situation.​ 

Oregon uses your most recent immigration status. 

  • If your immigration status has changed, Oregon uses your current status when deciding SNAP eligibility.

SNAP does not affect your immigration status. 

Getting SNAP benefits will not:

  • Affect your ability to stay in the U.S.
  • Stop you from getting a green card
  • Cause you to lose your green card 
  • Stop you from becoming a U.S. citizen
  • Count as public charge

You are not alone. 

  • These rules can be hard to understand, and it's OK to ask for help. 
  • Contact us in the way that feels best to you.

​Information for college and higher education students

​Students ages 18-49 who are enrolled more than half-time in college or other higher education can get SNAP if they meet a special condition (see list below). Higher education includes college, university, trade schools and​​​ technical schools. The school decides what "​half-time" enrollment means.

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

  • Work or are self-employed more than 20 hours a week​ (includes internships, externships, graduate assistantships and graduate fellowships)
  • Participate in federal or state funded work study
  • Receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  • Receive Unemployment compensation
  • Are in school because of employer-sponsored training
  • Participate in an Employment Department training program
  • Are enrolled in a program or course of study that will lead to employment
  • Are caring for a child under age 6 in a one or two-parent home
  • Are caring for a child between 6-12 years old 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
  • Are a single parent caring for 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 means they could qualify for more benefits. Proof 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.
  • Older adults who have trouble getting to the store can designate a trusted person to buy food for them using their SNAP benefits. Fill out an alternate payee form when you apply or any time after.
  • Older adults can have their 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
$2,660
2
$3,607
3
$4,554
4
$5,500
5
$6,447
6
$7,394
7
$8,340
​8
$9,287
For each additional person
Add $947

These a​mounts are effective from March 2026 ​​through February 2027. ​Income guidelines in other states may be different.

​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​​​Get help to a​​pply​​

Apply and get approved​

Use your EBT card to buy food

Meet work requirements or request an exemption

  • You might need to meet 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 meet the work rules, you can get help through the Oregon Employment Department.
  • ​If you aren't exempt and don't meet the work rules, you can only get SNAP for three months in a 3-year period.

Complete the​ SNAP Periodic Report

  • About halfway through your benefit period, we'll mail you a packet to do your​ Periodic Report. This helps make sure ​your information is up to date. 
  • Turn in the report on time to keep getting your benefits. 

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.

About the Periodic Report

SNAP benefits do not keep going on their own. About halfway through the time you get benefits, you must fill out a Periodic Report. This report helps us check that your information is still right.​

  • ​We'll mail you a packet when it's time to complete the report. You'll also get a notification in your Message Center. 
  • You can choose to complete the report online or on paper.
  • You do not need an interview for this report.
  • Turn in your report on time to keep your SNAP benefits.​
  • We may contact you if we need more information or proof.

What you need to do

Turn in this report on time.

If you do not:

  • Your benefits may stop
  • Or they may be late

Sign and dat​e your form

If you do not:

  • We cannot process it
  • Your benefits may stop or be late

Only fix things that are wrong or have changed

Look at the form. Fix anything that is wrong or has changed.

Who lives with you

Tell us about people who:

  • Live with you
  • You shop and cook most of your meals with

This may include your spouse, children, other relatives or roommates.

Your contact information

If something has changed or if you've moved, update your:

  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email

Your housing costs

Tell us what you pay for:

  • Rent or mortgage
  • Mortgage interest
  • Property taxes
  • Mortgage and Homeowner's insurance
  • Homeowner's Association (HOA) fees

Your utility costs

  • Heat and cooking fuel
  • Electricity
  • Water and sewer
  • Trash collection
  • Basic phone charges

Important

  • Tell us what costs you pay yourself, and if someone else helps pay.
  • If you have moved, update your address and costs.​

Your income (very important)

Tell us about all money everyone in your home gets.

This means money you earn from work and money you get from other sources.

Money from work includes:

  • Work wages or hourly pay - use the amount before taxes are taken out (gross pay)
  • Salary
  • Self-employment or gig work like DoorDash, home services like housekeeping, tutoring
  • Be sure to report tips and bonuses

If your income changed by $125 or more a month, you may need to show proof.

Other money you get includes:

  • Money you earn from your savings, retirement plans or investments
  • Social Security
  • Unemployment
  • Child support
  • Veterans' benefits

Add anything that is missing.

Child support you pay

If you pay child support that was ordered by a court, tell us:

  • How much
  • How often

You may need to show proof if it changed.

Work hours (if this applies to you)

  • Some people must meet SNAP work rules.
  • Tell us if your hours dropped below 20 hours a week.

Tips

  • Check your answers
  • Fill out all parts
  • Send proof if asked
  • Keep a copy

Need help?

Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. Relay calls welcome​

Call or visit your local ODHS office.

We are here to help.

​SNAP Quality Control reviews​ are random checks to make sure families are getting the right ​amount of SNAP benefits on time.

If your household is randomly chosen for a QC review:

  • ​The Quality Control team will contact you to do a short interview. They'll reach out by text, phone or mail, depending on how you said you want to be contacted. 
  • It's important to respond. You are not in trouble, but you do need to do the review. If you don't, your benefits could be delayed or stopped. 
  • This is not the same as the periodic report or the regular SNAP interview you do when you apply for SNAP or renew benefits. 
Learn more about QC reviews

​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​.


Resources for SNAP families

Benefits info (medical, food, cash, child care)Benefits helpEBT card helpEmployment and trainingDouble Up Food BucksMore 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.