SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a key tool to fighting hunger in Oregon. The program helps more than 1 in 6 Oregonians, or about 27% of households in the state, afford groceries. This includes children, working families, older adults, and people with disabilities. But even with SNAP, many families can struggle to cover the high cost of groceries, food, and housing.
Everyone deserves access to healthy food, but this past summer, Republicans in Congress passed large cuts to SNAP and introduced eligibility requirements that could bar thousands from food assistance. The various changes will go into effect over the next year, with different timing for different groups. Many changes will start on October 1, 2025. SNAP participants should receive notification in their ONE Account.
- If you’re applying or reapplying for SNAP after October 1, 2025: The new rules (described below) will start right away
- If you’re already on SNAP: The changes will start with those who applied or renewed their SNAP on or after July 4, 2025. For everyone else already on SNAP, changes will come later in the year. The first group will get notices around October 15, 2025, and their benefits may change or end on November 1, 2025.
Here are the big changes coming in October –
Work requirements are beginning
On October 1, 2025, work requirements will go into effect in six Oregon counties: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River.
If you apply or reapply for SNAP after October 1, 2025, regardless of your county, the new work requirement rules will apply right away.
Work requirements apply to adults ages 18-64 without a disability and without children age 14 or younger in their SNAP household. Federal rules refer to most adults in this category as, “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).” More than 310,000 Oregonians will have to follow difficult new work requirements to keep getting SNAP.
Many Oregonians can and should qualify for an exemption from work requirements. An exemption can significantly simplify the reporting process.
Starting January 1, 2026, work requirements will apply in all Oregon counties. SNAP cases will be reviewed at recertification to see if anyone on the case needs to start meeting the work requirements to keep their food benefits.
Refugees, asylees, and other immigrants start to lose benefits
Refugees, asylees, and certain other immigrants will no longer be eligible for SNAP under the new rules. And many were already ineligible even before the rule changes.
Refugees, asylees, and other immigrants who applied or renewed their SNAP benefits between July 4 and October 1, 2025 will receive notices that their SNAP benefits will end by October 31st. Remaining participants will lose SNAP when they renew, usually every 6 months.
Some immigrants are still eligible for SNAP, including: Lawful Permanent Residents after 5 years residency, 10 years work history, or under 18; Cuban-Haitian Entrants (CHEs) regardless of pending asylum or parole status; and COFA Citizens (from Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau)
Households on SNAP start to lose energy assistance benefits
The new changes also eliminate extra SNAP benefits Oregon households receive to account for high utility costs.
Households who applied or renewed between July 4 and October 1, 2025 will see their SNAP benefit go down on November 1, 2025. Remaining households will see their benefits go down when they renew.
Households that include an older adult or someone with a disability will be exempt from this cut.
How can I learn more about my benefits?
Your ONE Account is the best place to see notices about potential changes to your benefits. Many notices will be arriving on October 15th, 2025.
Visit benefits.oregon.gov or beneficios.oregon.gov to contact ODHS online, in person, or by phone. Please be patient with eligibility workers as their call volume is expected to surge.
You can also follow the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) on social media for their updates:
- ODHS Facebook
- ODHS Instagram
What can we do?
While SNAP participants in Oregon are facing many changes due to the new federal law, states, including Oregon, are being required to pay significant new costs simply to run SNAP. As advocates, we can work together to make sure Oregonians have access to food even as we face challenges from the federal government.