‘Oregon has no choice’: New SNAP requirements will impact over 313K residents

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Big changes are coming for Oregonians who rely on food benefits to make ends meet. Those impacted will include households receiving utility assistance, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 64 without young children, and some lawfully present immigrants.

The Oregon Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the changes, which are required under federal law, will impact more than 313,000 people statewide. Impacted households should expect to receive notice by mid-October if their benefit amounts have changed.

“We are announcing these changes today so that families can prepare for the impact we expect many Oregonians who depend on this resource will feel,” said Dana Hittle, co-leader of the federal response team for ODHS.

The changes aren’t expected to happen all at once and will roll out over the next year. Those who applied or recertified between July 4 and Oct. 1 should expect to receive the first group of notices, which will inform them of benefit reductions or closures. For those who were approved prior to July 4, changes will happen over time and notices will be sent throughout the next year. For anyone applying or reapplying for SNAP after Oct. 1, the new rules will be implemented immediately.

“Oregon families enrolled in SNAP receive an average of $300 a month, and any reduction makes it harder for families to put food on the table,” Hittle said. “Oregon has no choice but to follow federal law that will result in increased hardship across our communities, but we remain committed to helping families adjust and prepare.”

Able-bodied adults without dependents in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, Benton and Hood River counties will have their SNAP applications reviewed to ensure compliance with the new work requirements beginning Oct. 1 whenever they apply or review their benefits. Previously, the work requirements applied to adults between the ages of 18 and 54 without children under age 18. Now, they apply to adults ages 18 to 64 who are not disabled and don’t have children under age 14.

Veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young adults aging out of foster care are also no longer exempt from the new work requirements. Tribal members, however, are newly exempt from the work requirements. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the work rules will apply to all other counties as well. 

Around Oct. 15, about 9,600 households receiving energy assistance will be notified of reductions in their SNAP benefit amount beginning Nov. 1, according to ODHS. This includes households previously eligible for the Heating and Cooling Full Utility Allowance through programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or “Heat and Eat.” Approximately 29,000 households are expected to lose this benefit, and to have their SNAP allowance decrease by $58 a month on average. Another 20,000 households are also expected to see their benefits decrease when their SNAP is reviewed.

Also, around Oct. 15, about 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers, as well as other lawfully present immigrants, will receive notices informing them that their SNAP accounts will be closed by Oct. 31. It is estimated that another 2,000 people will also lose benefits when their SNAP accounts are reviewed.

Statewide, more than one in six Oregonians relies on SNAP benefits to help afford groceries, according to ODHS.