Waiver expands options for food benefits in 23 counties

/
Stock photo

Stock photo

Oregon Department of Human Services.png

Press release by Oregon Department of Human Services

A waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Disaster SNAP recipients in the following 23 counties to purchase hot or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers until Nov. 20.

Approved counties: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill.

Normally, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase "hot food products prepared for immediate consumption." This restriction is being waived following the severe winds and wildfires that led to the displacement of many residents and left them without access to a kitchen to prepare meals. Examples of allowable prepared foods include hot deli foods, fountain drinks, including but not limited to coffee and tea, a slice of hot/prepared pizza, hot soup, salad bars, and sandwiches.

This waiver will last through Nov. 20 and allows SNAP and DSNAP recipients to use their benefits to buy prepared food at any participating retailer that accepts SNAP EBT cards. Restaurant purchases are still prohibited.

For more information about the hot food waiver, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/DSNAP-Hot-Foods-Waiver.aspx.

Emergency Allotment Update
Oregon also received approval from FNS to provide maximum emergency allotment benefits for SNAP recipients in November. The emergency allotments, see schedule below, will bring families not receiving the maximum SNAP allotment for their household size to the maximum for the seventh consecutive month.

Issuance date (SNAP recipients will see the benefit the following day)

  • Nov. 10: Current SNAP households not receiving the SNAP maximum allotment

  • Nov. 27: New SNAP recipients between Nov. 10 and Nov. 27

For more information about Emergency Allotments, and to view the maximum allotment amounts, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/About-SNAP.aspx.

Oregonians who receive SNAP can contact their local SSP, APD or AAA office for more information. Find a local office at oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/index.aspx

To determine the maximum allotment for your household and view the FAQ, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/about-snap.aspx.