The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Oregon is facing major changes that will have wide-reaching consequences for many residents. As of October, significant reductions or eliminations of benefits will impact a large percentage of SNAP recipients across the state.
According to The US Sun, approximately 42% of current recipients, or about 313,000 people, will be affected by these new policies. This reform is part of a broader national overhaul tied to former President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and is set to affect households in various ways. These adjustments are set to roll out in phases, beginning this fall and continuing into 2026.
Main Groups Affected by SNAP Changes
Several groups will bear the brunt of the changes, with the following categories seeing the most significant reductions:
- Households Receiving Utility Assistance: Individuals who receive government support for heating and cooling will have their SNAP benefits reduced. Going forward, only households where a member is aged 60 or older, or has a disability, will continue to qualify for the Heating and Cooling Full Utility Allowance.
- Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs): Adults aged 18-64 who do not have children under 18 and are not disabled will now face strict work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. They will be allowed to receive benefits for only three months unless they can prove they are working. This expands the previous age range, which was limited to 18-49.
- Documented Immigrants: Certain refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and other documented immigrants who were once eligible for SNAP will be excluded from the program starting November 1. Local authorities estimate that about 3,000 people will lose their benefits due to these changes.
Timeline and Notification of Changes
For those who applied for or renewed their benefits between July 1 and October 1, official notices about the upcoming changes will be sent by October 15. These recipients will see reductions in their benefits starting on November 1. On average, the cuts will amount to approximately $58 per month.
Additionally, work requirements for ABAWDs began October 1 in the Portland area and a few other counties such as Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River. Other regions of Oregon will see these work requirements come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Exemptions and Special Considerations
Several exemptions have been removed from the new rules. For example, veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults aging out of foster care will no longer be exempt from the work requirements. However, a new exemption has been introduced for Indigenous Americans, including those who meet the federal definition of “Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian.”
