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Oregon-Northwest

Oregon issues full November SNAP food benefits under Gov. Kotek’s direction following federal judge’s order

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Published 10:26 am

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon's Department of Human Services employees worked through the night and issued full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits Friday in the wake of a federal judge's order and following Governor Tina Kotek's directive, her office said.

The distribution comes as the Trump administration is asking a federal appeals court to pause the judge’s order that requires the government to fully cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans this month.

Here's the news release from the governor's office:

Governor Kotek Announces Oregonians Now Have Access to Full November SNAP Benefits Following Court Order

Court orders Trump Administration to release funds, Governor moves immediately to ensure Oregon families receive full food benefits

Salem, OR – Yesterday afternoon, a federal court ordered the Trump Administration to immediately release 100% of funding to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for all recipients nationwide by Friday, including more than 750,000 Oregonians. Following Governor Tina Kotek’s directive, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) worked through the night to issue full November benefits by Friday morning so families across the state can access the food they need.

As of this morning, Oregon families are beginning to access their full November SNAP benefits restored on their Oregon Trail Cards. This means all Oregonians receiving SNAP will have their full monthly benefit available now, regardless of their usual payment schedule.

“The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold food assistance from families in need was cruel and unlawful,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “Oregonians shouldn’t have to wait for a court order to get the help they qualify for and need. I’m grateful to the federal 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.”

Because of the emergency preparations put in place by Governor Kotek, ODHS was able to work quickly with its electronic benefits transfer (EBT) vendor to ensure the funds were available as soon as the federal order was issued, making Oregon one of the earliest states to process benefits for residents upon receipt of the judge’s order. 

Last Wednesday, the Governor declared a hunger emergency and authorized the use of $5 million in available funds to help the Oregon Food Bank statewide network of emergency food pantries. Yesterday, the Governor announced $1 million to Tribal governments for emergency assistance. The emergency declaration will stay in place until the uncertainty from the federal government is resolved.

The Governor is grateful to the Oregon Disaster Funders Network and philanthropic partners who have been working to address hunger in Oregon and have been doing whatever it takes to support Oregon families. She also thanked all the businesses that donated meals, grocery stores that stood up donation programs, and everyday Oregonians who stocked food pantries for their neighbors, and teachers and parents at schools who worked to help fellow students.

Before shopping, people should check their EBT card balance to make sure their benefits have been issued. There are several ​ways to find out how much money is in your account.

If you are expecting a SNAP balance and don’t see one, call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. Electronic theft of benefits from EBT cards is on the rise nationwide. Take steps to protect your card and benefits. ODHS will continue to share updates at:  https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx.

About SNAP in Oregon
SNAP is entirely federally funded and helps more than 1 in 6 people in Oregon — about 18 percent of households — buy groceries. This includes children, working families, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity, driving an estimated $1.6 billion into Oregon’s economy each year.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will continue to provide updates to the public through:

ODHS encourages SNAP participants to:

Sign up for a ONE Online account or download the Oregon ONE Mobile app as the fastest ways to get notifications about your SNAP benefits.

News release:

House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer Calls for Accountability and Compassion in Oregon’s SNAP Funding

SALEM, Ore. — House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville) issued the following statement today regarding recent emergency funding decisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Oregon:

“Oregonians are grateful that families in need can access food and basic necessities through programs like SNAP. No one wants to see children or seniors go hungry — and I deeply value the many community organizations and volunteers who help feed their neighbors every day,” said Leader Elmer.

“However, it’s important that we take a closer look at how taxpayer dollars are being used. Oregon continues to send out massive amounts of money across multiple programs, often with little accountability or follow-up to ensure the funds are truly needed or effective. Asking questions about outcomes and efficiency isn’t cruel — it’s responsible governance,” she continued.

Elmer noted that Oregon’s emergency funding for food programs comes at a time when the federal government remains partially shut down, a situation that disproportionately impacts working families and low-income households.

“If Democrats in Washington would stop blocking efforts to reopen the government, Oregon wouldn’t be forced into emergency spending measures like this,” Elmer said. “Oregon families deserve stable, transparent government — not political stalemates that hurt the very people we’re trying to help.”

Elmer reaffirmed that Oregon House Republicans will continue advocating for both compassion and accountability — ensuring that taxpayer resources reach those who truly need them while addressing inefficiencies in state programs.

“We can care deeply about people and still expect accountability from government,” she added. “Those two values should go hand in hand.”

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey Statement on Release of SNAP Funds  

SALEM, Ore. —  As full November SNAP benefits reach Oregonians following a federal court order, House Speaker Julie Fahey released the following statement: 

"This morning, November SNAP benefits are finally arriving in Oregonians’ accounts, ending weeks of uncertainty and worry for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. I’m grateful to Governor Kotek for instructing the agency and the vendor to be ready to process these payments immediately, to Attorney General Rayfield and other Democratic AGs for suing the Trump administration, and to the courts for their clarity that Trump must stop withholding these benefits. I’m also grateful to so many local businesses, non-profits, and Oregonians who stepped up in this moment by donating, volunteering, and organizing to ensure our neighbors did not go hungry.  

“None of this would have been necessary if not for the cruelty of the Trump Administration, which has repeatedly refused to pay SNAP benefits despite having funds available to do so. Thankfully, Oregon has leaders and community members who are fighting to protect families and small businesses, even as the federal government leaves them behind." 

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