Oregon – Oregonians affected by the recent winter storms and power outages have a limited window until February 16 to request replacement benefits for food lost through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Seeking SNAP Replacement Benefits Post-Storm
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has announced that households within designated counties who have seen their food supplies spoiled or destroyed due to power outages can apply for replacement SNAP benefits. The counties eligible for this support include Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill.
For those living outside these areas, the standard procedure requiring requests for replacement benefits within 10 days of the loss remains in effect. To apply for these benefits, households must be ready to list the food lost, its replacement cost, and may be required to furnish proof of the event leading to the spoilage.
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Applications for replacement benefits can be made by calling (800) 699-9075, emailing [email protected], or visiting a local ODHS office. Detailed instructions, along with the request form, are accessible online.
Once the request is approved, the replacement benefits will be credited to the household’s existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, ensuring that those affected can replenish their lost food supplies and mitigate some of the challenges posed by the winter storms and subsequent power outages.