Nearly a half-million Oregon households that receive SNAP benefits will get an added payment on top of their usual monthly allotment for November and December, the state of Oregon said Tuesday.
The emergency benefits for the roughly 430,000 Oregon households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, formerly known as food stamps, will be issued directly onto recipients’ Oregon Trail electronic benefit cards. Current recipients will receive the emergency allotments on Nov. 11. Others will receive them Nov. 30 or Dec. 2.
Recipients do not need to do anything to receive the extra payments, which have been authorized by the federal government since May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, which closed many businesses.
“We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time,” Jana McLellan, interim director of the Oregon Department of Human Services program that oversees SNAP, said in a news release.
The enhanced benefits are expected to end when the federal government declares an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Since the federal government approved emergency benefits for November, the state of Oregon will also be able to issue them in December.
SNAP recipients who have had a change in income or household members should update the Department of Human Services, the agency said, because such changes could affect benefit amounts.
The average SNAP benefit per household in Oregon is about $200 a month.
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-85Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for November, Oregon will also be able to issue them in December.5-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Resources and support through Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
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As an expert deeply immersed in the realm of social welfare programs and government assistance, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the recent developments in the Pacific Northwest, particularly the state of Oregon. My expertise extends to the intricacies of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the underlying dynamics of government responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article from The Oregonian/OregonLive.com, published on October 27, 2022, unveils a significant initiative by the state of Oregon to provide additional support to almost half a million households receiving SNAP benefits. This emergency measure, aimed at addressing the challenges brought about by the pandemic, is a testament to the ongoing commitment to ensuring the welfare of vulnerable populations.
The key concepts and components addressed in the article include:
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Emergency Benefits for SNAP Recipients:
- Approximately 430,000 Oregon households receiving SNAP benefits are slated to receive additional payments for the months of November and December.
- These emergency benefits are in addition to the regular monthly allotment and will be directly issued onto recipients' Oregon Trail electronic benefit cards.
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Distribution Timeline:
- Current SNAP recipients are scheduled to receive the emergency allotments on November 11.
- Other recipients will receive these additional payments on either November 30 or December 2.
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Federal Authorization and Pandemic Context:
- The emergency benefits have been authorized by the federal government since May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of many businesses.
- The state of Oregon, in alignment with federal approval for November, is also authorized to issue these emergency benefits in December.
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End Date and Additional Support:
- The enhanced benefits are anticipated to conclude when the federal government declares an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- The article emphasizes that many Oregonians are still facing difficulties in meeting their basic needs and encourages them to seek support from various resources, including 211, the Oregon Food Bank, and local Community Action Agencies.
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SNAP Recipient Responsibilities:
- Recipients who experience changes in income or household composition are urged to update the Department of Human Services, as such alterations can impact benefit amounts.
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Average SNAP Benefit in Oregon:
- The average SNAP benefit per household in Oregon is reported to be around $200 a month.
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Community Resources and Support:
- Various resources and support services are highlighted in the article, including information on finding a food pantry, government programs for older adults and people with disabilities, and contacts for Community Action Agencies.
In conclusion, the state of Oregon's proactive approach in providing additional support to SNAP recipients during the ongoing pandemic underscores the crucial role of social welfare programs in ensuring the well-being of communities in challenging times. The information provided in the article serves as a valuable resource for those seeking assistance and exemplifies the collaborative efforts between government agencies and community organizations.
