SALEM, Ore. — Beginning June 1, all households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Oregon will be required to complete an interview when applying for or renewing monthly food benefits, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
The change marks a return to standard federal SNAP rules that require interviews for all applications and renewals to ensure benefit amounts accurately reflect a household’s current circumstances. Interviews must be completed before benefits can be approved or renewed.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal flexibilities allowed some households to skip renewal interviews. Those temporary provisions expire May 31.
The update affects households that previously qualified for waived interviews, including households where all adults are age 60 or older or meet the SNAP definition of disability and no one in the household earns income from work.
For some Oregonians, this will be the first time they are required to complete a SNAP interview during the renewal process.
ODHS officials said interviews are a routine part of the SNAP process and help verify information, reduce errors and ensure households receive the correct amount of assistance. Interviews can also help connect individuals and families with additional benefits and services they may qualify for.
“These updates help make sure people receive the correct SNAP benefits for their current situation,” said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, SNAP Director at ODHS. “We know adding another step may be challenging. Our staff are here to help answer questions and support people in the way that works best for them. Completing the interview and providing documents when requested helps us process benefits correctly and connect people to the full amount they qualify for.”
ODHS encourages SNAP recipients to prepare by updating their contact information and watching for notices by mail, email, text message or phone call regarding interview scheduling. Officials also urge recipients to respond promptly to avoid delays in processing benefits.
People can manage their benefits online through a ONE Online account, by phone at 800-699-9075 or 711 (TTY), in person at local ODHS offices, or by mail through the ONE Customer Service Center in Salem.
SNAP remains one of Oregon’s largest anti-hunger programs, serving more than one in six residents statewide, including children, older adults, working families and people with disabilities. According to ODHS, SNAP benefits generate an estimated $1.6 billion in economic activity in Oregon each year.
State officials acknowledged that many households continue to face challenges from rising food and housing costs, even with assistance benefits, and said the agency remains committed to helping eligible residents access the support they qualify for.
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