Oregon’s food assistance program is bracing for its most dramatic shake-up in decades — one that could leave hundreds of thousands of residents without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by the end of the year.
Starting in October 2025, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will begin enforcing new, federally mandated rules that tighten eligibility and work requirements for SNAP recipients. Officials estimate that 42% of Oregon’s SNAP participants — roughly 313,000 people — could lose or see a reduction in benefits over the next several months.
The changes come as part of a congressionally approved reform package — dubbed informally by supporters as the “Big Beautiful Bill” — initially advanced during the Trump administration and now being rolled out nationwide in stages.
What’s Changing in Oregon SNAP Benefits
According to ODHS, around 740,000 Oregonians currently rely on SNAP to help pay for groceries. But under the new federal guidance, the following key changes will take effect:
1. Expanded Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults
The state will now require a broader group of adults without dependents to work in order to receive benefits.
- Previously, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) — defined as those aged 18 to 54 — could receive benefits for only three months in a 36-month period unless they worked at least 80 hours per month or participated in an approved work program.
- Starting October 1, 2025, that age range expands to 18 through 64, and the rule now includes adults with children aged 14 to 17.
- Exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and youth aging out of foster care will be eliminated.
- A new exemption will apply to Indigenous Americans who meet the federal definitions of Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian.
| Category | Previous Rules | New Rules (Effective Oct. 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| ABAWD Age Range | 18–54 | 18–64 |
| Time Limit | 3 months every 36 months if not working | Same rule continues |
| Minimum Work Requirement | 80 hours/month | 80 hours/month |
| Exemptions | Veterans, homeless, foster care alumni | Removed (except for Indigenous Americans) |
The stricter work verification requirements already began in the Portland metro area, Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River counties on October 1, and will expand to the rest of Oregon on January 1, 2026.
2. Utility Allowance Restriction
Families receiving SNAP will also face a change to their Heating and Cooling Full Utility Allowance (HCSUA) eligibility — a factor that affects benefit calculations.
Only households where one or more members is 60 or older or has a disability will qualify for this deduction beginning in November 2025.
This shift will reduce benefits for approximately 30,000 Oregon households, with average monthly losses of about $58, according to ODHS estimates.
3. Immigrant and Refugee Eligibility Changes
Refugees, asylum seekers, and some documented immigrants who were previously eligible for food assistance will lose access to SNAP starting November 1, 2025.
ODHS estimates that 3,000 individuals will be directly affected by this change.
| Group | Previous Eligibility | New Rule (Nov. 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Refugees & asylum seekers | Eligible | Removed from SNAP eligibility |
| Documented immigrants | Eligible (under specific categories) | Removed |
| Indigenous Americans | Not previously exempt | Now explicitly exempt |
Timeline: How and When the Changes Roll Out
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | New work requirements begin in Portland-area, Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River counties |
| October 15, 2025 | ODHS begins mailing change notices to affected households |
| November 1, 2025 | Benefit reductions begin for those who renewed or applied between July 1 and October 1 |
| January 1, 2026 | Work requirement expansion takes effect statewide |
Households that applied or recertified benefits between July 4 and October 1 will see benefit changes in November 2025, while those approved before July 4 will see reductions or cancellations in 2026.
The Numbers Behind the Cuts
ODHS expects:
- 313,000 Oregonians to lose or see cuts to benefits.
- 50,000 households to be affected directly by utility allowance changes.
- 30,000 households to lose an average of $58/month in SNAP.
The overall impact could touch nearly half of all current SNAP recipients in Oregon.
Why It’s Happening
State officials stress that the cuts are not locally initiated — they’re a result of federal mandates included in broader welfare reform. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, approved Oregon’s plan for compliance earlier this year.
Supporters of the new law say it will encourage workforce participation and reduce long-term dependency on government aid. Critics, however, warn that it could push thousands of low-income adults into food insecurity, particularly in rural counties with limited job opportunities.
ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said in a statement that the department is “committed to helping Oregonians navigate the new requirements” but acknowledged that the changes “will cause hardship for many households.”
What SNAP Recipients Should Do Now
If you currently receive SNAP benefits in Oregon:
- Check your mail for notices arriving around October 15.
- Contact ODHS immediately if you’re unsure whether you’ll be affected.
- Meet work requirements early if you fall within the new 18–64 age range.
- Explore local food banks and community resources through the Oregon Food Bank or ODHS Benefits Finder.
FAQs:
When do Oregon’s new SNAP rules take effect?
Work requirements began in select counties on October 1, 2025, and will extend statewide on January 1, 2026.
How many people will lose benefits?
An estimated 313,000 Oregonians—about 42% of current recipients—will be affected.
How much will benefits decrease?
Roughly 30,000 households will see average reductions of $58 per month.
