Program Description
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps supplement food budgets for low-income working families and individuals, people on public assistance, seniors and people with disabilities.
During the 2001-2003 biennium, approximately 176,700 households in Oregon received SNAP benefits each month. The average monthly amount of benefits was $140 per household. The cost of benefits and half of the program's administrative costs are paid by the Federal government.
In Oregon, SNAP benefits are distributed through the state's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system, which allows recipients to obtain their benefits by using an "Oregon Trail Card" at a Point of Sale (POS) device.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Oregon and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $14,079 if one person lives in the household; $18,941 if two people live in the household; $23,803 if three people live in the household; $28,665 if four people live in the household; $33,527 if five people live in the household; $38,389 if six people live in the household; $43,251 if seven people live in the household; or $48,113 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $4,862 for each additional person in the home.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
The program is administered by the Children, Adults and Families (CAF) group of the Department of Human Services (DHS). Services and benefits are provided through DHS offices across the state. To find an office near you, please visit:
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/localoffices/localoffices.pdf
Program Contact Information
For more information on how and where to apply for food stamps,
please call Oregon SafeNet:
1-800-723-3638
See also Oregon Helps, a Web site that can help you find out if you
might be eligible for several programs that serve families and
children:
http://www.oregonhelps.org/
