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The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will review household income information on more than 80,000 SNAP cases in November and December 2026.
Separately, beginning November 21, people applying for or renewing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will need to provide proof of housing and utility costs for those expenses to count when benefits are calculated.
For more than a decade, Oregon has generally allowed recipients to self-report these expenses without providing documentation.
The ODHS says improving SNAP payment accuracy should also lower its federal payment error rate of 14.14%, recorded in the 2025 fiscal year.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Oregon’s SNAP Payment Error RateFederal fiscal years / ODHS rounded figuresODHS rounds these annual rates to whole percentages; its exact 2025 rate is 14.14%. The agency’s goal is below 6%. Payment errors include overpayments and underpayments and are not the same as fraud.
Source: Oregon Department of Human Services / SNAP Payment AccuracyDailyTidings.com
Respond by the Deadline or Risk Losing SNAP Benefits
If an income check identifies a need for more information, ODHS will contact the household or send an “Information Needed” notice. Recipients must respond by the deadline, or they risk losing their SNAP benefits. Not every household will need to take action.
For the separate housing-cost rule, people already receiving SNAP will normally provide proof when they renew. Those who move, report changed housing or utility costs, or begin paying a new expense before renewal will need to provide proof earlier.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Two Separate SNAP ChangesWhich households need to act| Measure | Timing | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Income checks | November–December 2026 | Respond if ODHS requests information; more than 80,000 cases will be checked. |
| Housing and utility proof | From November 21 | Provide proof when applying or renewing, or earlier after a move or reported expense change. |
Missing expense proof does not automatically close a case. ODHS calculates eligibility and benefits without those costs, which can reduce benefits or affect eligibility.
Source: Oregon Department of Human Services / November 10, 2026 guidanceDailyTidings.com
Required Documents
Recipients will need documentation of housing costs and which utilities they pay or help pay. Under the ODHS proof requirements, accepted examples include the following; households do not need every item:
- A rental agreement or mortgage bill
- A utility bill
- A rental agreement detailing how utilities are paid
- A written receipt from a landlord
- A bank statement showing payment to a landlord, property manager or mortgage company
- Payment app screenshots, such as Venmo, PayPal or CashApp, showing housing payments or which utility a payment was for
- A statement or phone verification from a landlord or roommate who is not part of the SNAP household
ODHS staff can help people find other ways to verify expenses. People should continue applying for SNAP, renewing benefits and completing required interviews, even if they do not have documents ready.
ODHS is appealing to participants to respond to requests for information on time to prevent possible delays or interruptions to their benefits.
Recipients should also ensure that their contact information is accurate and that ODHS has their current mailing address and phone number to avoid missing important notifications.
For further information or assistance, SNAP beneficiaries or those planning to apply should contact the ODHS ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075.
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