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SNAP Disaster Assistance Available

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If you had to throw away food purchased with SNAP due to the recent winter storms or power outages, you can request to replace those SNAP benefits to purchase new food. The federal government has allowed Oregon to increase the number of counties eligible for the extended deadline.

Households who receive SNAP and live in the following counties have until Feb. 16 to request replacement SNAP benefits for food that was spoiled or destroyed due to winter storms and power outages:

Households who live outside of these counties must request replacement benefits within 10 days of the loss per the normal process.

Households who disposed of food bought with SNAP benefits that was destroyed due to these events can request that replacement benefits be issued for the cost of the lost food. The maximum amount of SNAP that can be replaced is the value of the food up to the normal monthly benefit for the household.

Households should be prepared to provide a list of the lost food, the cost to replace it, and may have to provide proof of the event that destroyed the food.

Replacement benefits must be requested by the deadline by:

Detailed instructions and the request form can be found online at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/pages/snap-replacement.aspx#disaster

Once approved, replacement benefits are added to the households’ existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Resources to help meet basic needs

Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at benefits.oregon.gov. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.