SNAP Emergency Allotments

Since March 2020, most people in Oregon who receive SNAP have also received extra emergency food benefits each month on their EBT (Oregon Trail) card. This benefit was created by the federal government to help with the COVID-19 public health emergency. The federal government has now decided that February is the last month states are allowed to distribute Emergency Allotments. Starting in March, SNAP households will only get their regular SNAP payment. Learn about other food resources and how you can prepare for this change.​

(ESPAÑOL: Los beneficios de alimentos de emergencia (oficialmente llamados Asignaciones de Emergencia) terminarán en febrero del 2023. A partir de marzo, los hogares SNAP solo recibirán su pago regular de SNAP. Encuentre otros recursos para alimentos y cómo puede prepararse para este cambio.)

Changes

  • February will be the last month of SNAP emergency food benefits. People receiving SNAP will continue to get their regular SNAP benefit in March and every month after March 2023. 

  • Emergency food benefits are an extra amount that is added to EBT cards around the 11th or 12th day of the month. The regular benefit is the SNAP amount that people get on their cards between the 1st day and the 9th day of every month.

  • The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) posts the latest information on SNAP Emergency Allotments 

What Can I Do?

You do not have to do anything. Multnomah County has gathered  information that might be helpful as you navigate this change

Double Check Your SNAP Benefits:

  • People can check their ONE account or EBT Edge account to see how much your regular SNAP amount is without the emergency food benefits. 

  • People can also call the ODHS ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075 but should expect a very long wait time (up to 90 mins).

  • You may qualify for higher regular SNAP benefits if there have been changes to your household (like less income, higher expenses or more people living with you). You can update your information at any time. 

Reach out for other support:

  • Other Food Assistance is still available. Visit Multco.us/food-assistance for info on WIC, nutrition assistance for seniors, and food pantries at SUN Schools and across the county. 

  • Call the Aging, Disability & Veteran Resource Connection (ADRC) at 503.988.3646 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

  • Find resources for housing, utilities and more: call 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898211, visit 211info.org

Impact

For three years, ODHS has been issuing emergency food benefits to hundreds of thousands of households receiving SNAP.

  • These benefits have significantly increased peoples’ ability to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families.  

  • Most households will have a significant decrease in food benefits when they no longer receive the Emergency Allotments. Without these food benefits some in Oregon will experience hardship and struggle to meet their basic needs.