Hundreds of Thousands in Oregon Face SNAP Benefit Cuts Under New Federal Law
313,000 Oregonians Will Lose Some SNAP Benefits and 29,000 Households Will No Longer Qualify for Heating and Cooling Utility Allowances
New federal legislation has introduced severe cutbacks in Oregon’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, while 29,000 households will lose their Heating and Cooling Full Utility Allowance (FUA).
According to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), changes to SNAP are required under House Resolution (H.R. 1), and will impact more than 313,000 Oregonians of the 740,000 who receive food benefits.
Those Who Will Be Hardest Hit
Those who will be hardest hit are the elderly, immigrants, and residents of rural communities with limited access to transportation.
“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,” says Dana Hittle, who is co-leading the ODHS’ federal response team.
How the Changes Affect Oregon’s Different Communities
Individuals who applied or who were re-certified between July 4 and October 1, 2025, will have their SNAP benefits reduced at the beginning of November 2025.
Individuals who were approved for SNAP before July 4, 2025, will begin losing benefits in 2026.
Individuals applying for SNAP after October 1, 2025, will immediately receive a reduced SNAP package, while a further 20,000 households will have SNAP benefits reduced when they become due for renewal.
The key changes will affect three groups in the following categories: households receiving utility assistance, able-bodied adults aged 18 to 64 with no children under age 14 in their SNAP group, and certain lawfully present immigrants.
Thousands of People Will Lose Their Utility Allowance
About 29,000 Oregon households will lose their Heating and Cooling allowance, averaging $58 a month, provided by energy assistance programs like the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and ‘Heat and Eat.’
From now on, only households with at least one member aged 60 or older, or someone who is disabled, will automatically qualify for the Full Utility Allowance (FUA).
Starting today, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) who live in Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill will be reviewed at application or renewal for required work rules.
To qualify, ABAWD individuals must work or participate in a qualifying activity for at least 80 hours a month.
Individuals who fail to meet these work rules could lose SNAP benefits after three months.
The work rules apply to adults aged 18–64 without a disability, or without children under age 14 in their SNAP household. Previously, the work rules applied to adults aged 18 to 54 with no child under 18 in their SNAP household.
Exemption status will no longer apply to veterans, the homeless, and young adults leaving foster care.
However, Tribal members and those meeting the federal definition of “Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian,” will now be exempt.
It is estimated that 310,000 adults will have to be newly evaluated to establish if they meet the work rules.