ODHS says federal changes to SNAP may affect nearly half of enrolled residents
By Griffin Beach on Monday, October 6th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Last week the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) announced
federally required changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The changes come as a result of U.S. House Resolution 1 (HR1), better known as the
“One Big Beautiful Bill” which was passed back in July. ODHS expects 313,000 of the
740,000 residents who are enrolled in SNAP to be impacted by the changes.
“We are announcing these changes today so that families can prepare for the impact we
expect many Oregonians who depend on this resource will feel,” said Dana Hittle, who
is co-leading ODHS’ federal response team in a release from ODHS. “Oregon families
enrolled in SNAP receive an average of $300 a month, and any reduction makes it
harder for families to put food on the table. Oregon has no choice but to follow federal
law that will result in increased hardship across our communities, but we remain
committed to helping families adjust and prepare.”
ODHS says they will begin mailing notices to affected households on October 15, and
say that changes won’t happen all at once and will roll out over the next year. They say
the changes will affect three main groups of SNAP recipients: Households receiving
utility assistance, able-bodied adults ages 18 through 64 with no child under age 14 in
their SNAP group, and certain lawfully present immigrants.
Here’s the changes as outlined in the ODHS release:
Utility assistance and SNAP benefits
-Households previously eligible for the Heating and Cooling Full Utility Allowance
(FUA) through energy assistance programs like Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or “Heat and Eat” will see changes.
-Only households with at least one member who is age 60 or older or a member
with a disability will automatically qualify for FUA.
-Approximately 29,000 households will lose this allowance, reducing their SNAP
benefits by an average of $58 per month.
-About 9,600 households who applied or renewed between July 4 and Oct. 1,
2025 will get notices around Oct. 15, 2025. Their SNAP will be reduced Nov. 1,
2025.
-Another 20,000 households will see benefits go down when their SNAP is
reviewed.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)
-Beginning Oct 1, 2025, people with ABAWD status in 6 counties (Multnomah,
Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, Benton, and Hood River) will be reviewed at
application or renewal for required work rules.
-People who don’t meet work rules may lose SNAP benefits after 3 months.
-The work rules will apply to adults ages 18–64 without a disability or without
children under age 14 in their SNAP household. Previously the work rules
applied to adults ages 18 to 54 without a child under 18 in their SNAP household.-
-People with ABAWD status must work or participate in a qualifying activity for at
least 80 hours per month.
-Veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young adults aging out of
foster care are no longer exempt from the work rules.
-Tribal Members and people who meet the federal definition of “Indian, Urban
Indian, or California Indian” are newly exempt from the work rules.
-In January 2026 these ABAWD requirements will be implemented statewide.
-It’s estimated that 310,000 adults will have to be newly evaluated to see if they
have to meet the work rules.
Refugees, Asylees and certain other lawfully present immigrants
-Refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors and other conditionally allowed non-
citizens who were eligible for SNAP as of July 3, 2025, will lose eligibility under
H.R. 1.
-In Oregon, it’s estimated that at least 3,000 individuals will no longer qualify for
benefits.
-About 1,000 people who applied or renewed their SNAP between July 4 and Oct.
1, 2025 will get notices around Oct. 15, 2025. Their SNAP will end on Oct. 31,
2025.
-Another 2,000 people will lose SNAP when their SNAP is reviewed.
Anyone with questions or need help understanding the changes can call ODHS at 1-
800-699-9075, visiting their local office or emailing requests to
Oregon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
