Oregon – Oregon residents who apply for or renew SNAP food benefits will soon face one important step before their benefits can be approved: an interview.
Beginning June 1, 2026, all SNAP households in Oregon will be required to complete an interview when applying for benefits or renewing monthly food assistance. The change marks a return to standard federal SNAP rules, which require interviews for all applications and renewals so eligibility and benefit amounts can be checked against a household’s current situation.
The Oregon Department of Human Services said the interview must be completed before SNAP benefits can be approved or renewed. For many households, the process will be familiar. For others, especially some older adults and people with disabilities, it may be the first time an interview is required during renewal.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, certain SNAP households were allowed to skip renewal interviews under temporary flexibility rules. That exception ends May 31, 2026. After that date, the interview requirement will again apply to all households, including those where all adults are age 60 or older or meet the SNAP definition of disability and no one in the household has income from work.
ODHS said interviews are a standard part of the SNAP process. They are used to confirm information, reduce errors, make sure people receive the correct benefit amount and help connect households to the full range of benefits and services they may qualify for.
“These updates help make sure people receive the correct SNAP benefits for their current situation,” said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, SNAP Director at ODHS.
“We know adding another step may be challenging. Our staff are here to help answer questions and support people in the way that works best for them. Completing the interview and providing documents when requested helps us process benefits correctly and connect people to the full amount they qualify for.”
For people who rely on SNAP, the most important step now is preparation. ODHS is encouraging households to make sure their contact information is current, watch for mail, emails, text messages or phone calls about interview scheduling, and respond quickly to avoid delays. People can connect with ODHS online, by phone or in person, depending on what works best for them.
More information about SNAP in Oregon is available at Oregon.snap.gov. People can also use a ONE Online account to manage benefits, call ODHS at 800-699-9075 or 711 for TTY, visit a local office, or send mail to the ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309.
SNAP remains one of Oregon’s key tools in the fight against hunger. The program helps more than 1 in 6 people in the state, including children, working families, older adults and people with disabilities, afford groceries. ODHS says SNAP also supports local communities, with every $1 in benefits generating $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity and driving an estimated $1.6 billion into Oregon’s economy each year.
Still, many families continue to struggle as food and housing costs rise. State officials say the renewed interview requirement is meant to help ensure households receive the right amount of food benefits for their needs while keeping the program accurate and responsive.
