Oregon Tribes to Receive $1 Million in Emergency Aid Amid SNAP Funding Uncertainty
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek indicated yesterday that $1 million in emergency assistance must be distributed to the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon to help address the food security emergency across the state, following uncertainty about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding stemming from the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Oregon Tribes Allocated Additional $1 Million Emergency Assistance
$1 million will be distributed by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to Oregon tribes, adding to the $5 million already sent to the Oregon Food Bank network to support food access statewide, following Governor Kotek’s declaration of a hunger emergency last week.
The governor authorized the use of $5 million in available TANF carryover funds for emergency food boxes, and she also joined 22 governors in signing a letter demanding that available contingency funds be distributed.
The state’s intervention comes after two federal Judges ordered the Trump Administration to release SNAP funds.
The Trump Administration has since appealed that ruling. Governor Kotek confirmed that the state funding seeks to ensure that Tribal governments and local partners have the resources they need to meet immediate food security needs.
Governor Tina Kotek said, “The refusal of the Trump Administration to maintain SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown is creating instability for families and communities that rely on this critical help to buy food.”
The ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) will send grant agreements to each Tribal emergency manager and social services director no later than Friday, November 7, to expedite the release of funds and give each Tribal government flexibility to determine how best to use the resources to support their communities.
For information about food resources in Oregon:
- Go to toneedfood.oregon.gov or alimentos.oregon.gov.
- Call 2-1-1 for referral information.
- Visit the official ODHS website at odhs.oregon.gov or social media channels.
- Subscribing to ODHS communication channels
- Visit the ODHS Food Resources website to find local programs and food support.
- Visit the Oregon Food Bank Food Finder website.
- Older adults and people with disabilities: Connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) to find government and community resources. Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit www.adrcoforegon.org.
In addition, SNAP participants should check their EBT card balance regularly, sign up for a ONE Online account, and download the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get notices about their SNAP case.