ODHS Notifies Households of SNAP Changes

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) began mailing notices Oct. 15, 2025, to people in Oregon who applied for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits between July 4 through Sept. 30, 2025, and whose food benefits will change or end due to new federal changes from the U.S. Congress and the President.

During the next 10 months, ODHS will use the new H.R.1 laws when SNAP benefits are updated.

These changes are required by federal law and will affect more than 313,000 people currently receiving SNAP in Oregon.

“We know how important SNAP is to families across Oregon,” said Dana Hittle, ODHS Acting Deputy Director and co-lead of the agency’s federal response team.

“We are sharing this information now so people can prepare. Any reduction in benefits makes it harder to put food on the table, and ODHS is committed to helping families adjust and find support.”

Key dates include Oct. 15, 2025, when notices will begin mailing to affected households that applied or renewed between July 4 and September 30. On Nov. 1, 2025, the first benefit reductions and case closures will take effect. Additional changes will continue rolling out through 2026 as households renew benefits or when benefits are updated.

Households that qualified for the Full Utility Allowance (FUA) through programs like LIHEAP or Heat and Eat will see changes. Only households with at least one member who is 60 or older or has a disability will automatically qualify for FUA due to energy assistance. All households that pay for heat or cooling separately from housing will still qualify for FUA, even if energy assistance covers part of their heat or cooling bill. About 29,000 households will lose FUA, reducing their benefits by an average of $58 per month, and roughly 9,600 households will receive notices on Oct. 15, 2025, about benefit reductions beginning Nov. 1, 2025.

Starting Oct. 1, 2025, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules will expand to include adults ages 18–64 who do not have children under 14 in their SNAP group. People who meet an exemption do not have to follow the ABAWD work rules to receive SNAP; a full list of exemptions is available on the SNAP Work Rules website under the “Who is exempt” section. Those who do not meet the ABAWD work rules may lose benefits after three months. The H.R.1 rules began in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River counties on Oct. 1, 2025, and will soon expand statewide. Approximately 310,000 adults will be newly evaluated for work rule requirements.

If you think these rules may apply to you, don’t wait to start planning. Contact the ODHS ABAWD team at 833-947-1694, email SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov or visit a local ODHS office.

ODHS understands that these federal changes will affect hundreds of thousands of people in Oregon. While the state must follow federal rules, help and resources are available. For food support, visit the ODHS Food Resources website to find local programs in your community.

Older adults and people with disabilities can connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) for assistance in finding government and community resources by calling 1-855-673-2372 or visiting www.adrcoforegon.org. Additional support is available through 211info by dialing 2-1-1, texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or visiting www.211info.org