Oregon Restores Full SNAP Benefits After Federal Court Order
Court ruling ensures more than 750,000 Oregonians receive vital food assistance amid the ongoing federal shutdown.
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon households relying on food assistance will receive their full November SNAP benefits after a federal court ordered the federal government to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) despite the ongoing shutdown, Governor Tina Kotek announced Friday.
The ruling, issued Thursday, directs agencies to immediately distribute November benefits to eligible households nationwide. Oregon officials confirmed that the state’s 750,000 SNAP recipients have already received their full allotments.
“Oregonians shouldn’t have to wait for a court order to get the help they qualify for and need,” Kotek said. “I’m grateful to the courts for upholding the law and to our state teams who worked through the night to make sure every Oregon family relying on SNAP could buy groceries today and through the weekend.”
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) worked quickly with its electronic benefits transfer (EBT) vendor to process payments following the court decision, making Oregon one of the first states to restore benefits.
Earlier this week, Kotek declared a hunger emergency, authorizing $5 million in support for the Oregon Food Bank network and an additional $1 million for tribal governments to assist communities affected by the disruption.
The emergency declaration remains in effect while uncertainty continues over federal funding. Kotek’s office said the state will continue coordinating with partners to ensure food access remains stable for vulnerable Oregonians.