State: Federal SNAP standards change on Sunday

Public notice was provided Friday by the Oregon Department of Human Services Self Sufficiency Programs on a federal change.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service approved a change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income guidelines and the SNAP benefit allotment amount. These cost-of-living adjustments are effective October 1, 2017.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service determines how much an eligible person can receive in SNAP benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps.

SNAP participants do not need to take any action. The state will automatically recalculate cases and adjust as needed. Any changes in food benefits will be reflected in the October issuance of SNAP benefits.

Currently, one in five Oregonians — or 719,503 Oregonians — receive food benefits through SNAP. The amount of benefits a SNAP participant receives is based on many factors, including include income and deductions for necessities like shelter and utilities.

The change in the 2017 standards will not increase the number of people receiving SNAP, and it does not change program eligibility requirements, officials said To be eligible for SNAP, families must have income less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level and meet other eligibility factors. For a family of four, the income limit is less than $3,793 per month.

SNAP participants with questions about the changes can contact their local Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) office for assistance: oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/index.aspx