Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Food Benefits to Receive 12 Percent Cost of Living Increase in October

(Salem) – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will receive a permanent cost of living increase of approximately 12 percent starting in October.

This means that people in Oregon who receive SNAP will start receiving more food benefits when they receive their October benefits.

Every October the federal government makes cost of living adjustments to SNAP maximum allotments. These adjustments are based on changes to the amount of money needed to support a basic standard of living. Maximum SNAP allotments are the maximum amount of food benefits that a household may receive based off its size.

“As communities in Oregon continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the rising cost of food, we know that many individuals and families are experiencing hardship and rely on SNAP food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Jana McLellan, interim director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs. “We are glad that our federal partners have made this cost of living increase to help people get enough healthy food. We also know that many people in Oregon 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.”

SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive the increased benefit amounts.

Need to know

Oregonians who receive SNAP food benefits will see their food benefits increase approximately 12 percent starting in October
The maximum food benefit for a household of two has increased from $459 to $516
The maximum food benefit for a household of four has increased from $835 to $939
Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

More information about SNAP is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/pages/index.aspx.