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Table of Contents

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)...... 1

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)...... 2

The Refugee Program...... 4

Housing Assistance...... 5

Parents as Scholars (PAS)...... 6

The JOBS Program...... 7

Contact Us...... 8

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash assistance to low-income families with children while they strive to become self-sufficient. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of families living in poverty, through employment and community resources.

To qualify for TANF, families must have very few assets and little to no income. Currently, the maximum monthly benefit for a family of three is $506.

How to Apply:

You can apply forTANF by visitingyour local DHS Self-Sufficiency office. You can download an application and instructionsfrom the website You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view these PDFfiles. You can download the free software at.

These application forms should be printed and filled out by hand and then brought or sent to alocal DHS Self-sufficiency office.

*Applications are available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)*Formerly known as Food Stamps

The purpose of SNAP is to help improve the health and well-being of low-income households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs. Some important facts:

  • SNAP benefits are a supplement. They are not meant to meet all of the food needs of a household or an individual, but to supplement their nutritional needs.
  • People do not need to be pennilessto qualify for SNAP benefits.

In Oregon, the benefits are distributed through the state's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system, which allows recipients to obtain their benefits by using an "Oregon Trail Card" at the grocery store card-scanning devices.

How do I apply for food benefits?

Apply onlinefor food benefits.

OR

You can apply for food benefits by downloading an application and instructions below. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view these PDF files. You can download the free software at

*Applications in the available languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, & Vietnamese.

For questions about how or where to apply for food stamps Contact Oregon SafeNet, 1-800-723-3638

The goal of SNAP-Ed is to provide educational programs that help low income households, in particularly SNAP recipients, make healthy food choices and active life styles consistent with the message reflected in theDietary Guidelines for Americansand theMyPlate.

Resources:

  • Food Hero
  • ​Child Nutrition Program
  • FNS Nutrition Education
  • Fruits and veggies -- more matters
  • Oregon Dairy Council
  • Oregon Farmers Markets
  • Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division
  • Oregon WIC
  • OSU Extension Service
  • Physical Activity and Nutrition Program

The Refugee Program

Refugees are people who are in grave danger because their home government is either unwilling or unable to protect them. They come from anywhere in the world, from large urban areas to rural refugee camps.

Eligibility for Refugee Benefits in Oregon and How to Apply

In order to be eligible for refugee benefits, you must:

  • Be a refugee.
  • Have been in the U.S. for less than eight months
  • Live in Oregon
  • Meet the income standards
  • Be at least 18 years old (if you have dependent children, you could be eligible for TANF)
  • Not be a full-time student in college

If you have any questions regarding setting up an appointment, please contact yourlocalDHSself-sufficiency office. For questions regarding refugee policy, please contactDHScentral office at 503-945-5600.

Housing Assistance

The following Web sites offer information on housing assistance in Oregon.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Oregon

Learn about:

  • Home ownership
  • Renting in Oregon
  • Information for the homelessand more...

Oregon Housing and Community Services

Services and resources include:

  • Emergency housing and shelter programs
  • First-time home buyer program
  • Energy and weatherization assistance programs


Housing assistance for people with developmental disabilities

Housing assistance for people with mental illness

Housing assistance for people with HIV/AIDS

  • Balance of State HIV/AIDS Housing Plan- The Plan focuses on the areas of Oregon outside of the 6 counties of the Portland metropolitan area.
  • Client services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Domestic violence shelters

Oregon guide to domestic violence services

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Parents as Scholars: Helping Parents Get an Education

Parents as Scholars (PAS) helps support parents who are or will be undergraduates in beginning or continuing a two- or four-year degree program.Parents in PAS can get cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF)). They can also get other benefits such as help with child care and transportation. In some cases, parents in PAS can get up to $100 per academic term or semester to help pay for books and supplies. DHS cannot pay for tuition or fees for a parent in PAS.

You might qualify for PAS if you:

  • Are a parent applying for or getting Temporary Assistance for Needy families (TANF)and
  • Are or will be an undergraduate beginning or completing a two- or four-year degree programand can show as part of the PAS application how completion of your schooling is likely to result in employment that provides the wages and benefits needed for you to support your family without TANF.

A PAS participant must go to a school that is:

  • Approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, by its regional equivalent or by the appropriate official, department or agency of the state or nation in which the institution is locatedand is
  • A four-year college or university; a junior college or community college; or a technical, professional or career school.

A PAS participant must also:

  • Provide documentation of satisfactory progress in school to DHS.
  • Provide attendance as required by DHS.
  • Remain enrolled in school full-time unless there is good cause.

Applying for PAS:

  • For more information about PAS and the PAS requirements:
  • Talk to a DHS Self-Sufficiency worker in yourlocal officeor
  • .

The JOBS Program

JOBS Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program is the state's employment and training program for people on public assistance. This program can help low-income families avoid the need for welfare.

Current JOBS clients who have questions about their case plan or available program services should contact their case managers. If you do not know who to call, please call your local DHS officelocal DHS offices.

Contact Us:

  • Address
/ Hours of Operation / Contact
Oregon Department of
Human Services
500 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97301 / 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
(Food Benefits)Phone: 503-945-5600
Fax: 503-373-7032
TTY: 503-945-5896
Have you applied or are getting benefits?
Do you need a Replacement EBT (Oregon Trail Card) Card? Please call the Replacement Line:
1-855-328-6715 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To report a change, send in requested documents or ask a question about:
Snap Assistance
Contact your local Office
Cash assistance (TANF)
Contact your local CAF office
Child Care assistance (ERDC)
Contact your local CAF office

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