Oregon SNAP recipients face uncertainty as government shutdown looms
Tracee Tuesday
BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} — More than 750,000 Oregonians who receive food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see their benefits halted by the end of October if the federal government shutdown continues, Governor Tina Kotek warned this week.
According to Governor Kotek, Oregon’s SNAP recipients include over 200,000 children and 130,000 residents aged 65 and older. The governor said that if the shutdown extends beyond October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be unable to fund November’s payments, leaving families without critical food assistance until the government reopens.
In a statement shared on social media, Representative Emerson Levy highlighted the impact at the local level: “15,494 households in Deschutes County depend on SNAP benefits.”
Governor Kotek placed responsibility for the potential funding lapse on President Trump’s administration, saying:
“The President continues to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He’s still trying to bring the military into Oregon communities, spending millions every day on unnecessary missions. It’s clear the President’s priorities have nothing to do with the health, safety, and prosperity of American families. Every month, SNAP benefits help roughly one in six Oregonians have something to eat. Your existing EBT funds are safe, but you will not receive a new monthly deposit in November unless the government reopens and can process the benefits.”
In a separate statement to KTVZ, Representative Jason Kropf criticized the administration’s handling of the situation:
“The Trump administration is risking a situation that will actively harm our neighbors, especially those in rural communities, rather than pass a funding resolution that keeps Americans from going hungry.”
Redmond City Councilors Cat Zwicker and Kathryn Osborne also weighed in with a joint statement, emphasizing that food support should not be a political issue:
“SNAP benefits are not partisan—they serve households across every demographic and community.”
KTVZ spoke with several homeless individuals in Central Oregon, who declined on-camera interviews but expressed fear about the future of their benefits. They said they were reassured their October funds are secure but remain anxious about what could happen if their SNAP payments stop in November.
It is important to stay informed by checking the official state and federal resources for updates:
Oregon Department of Human Services website: oregon.gov/odhs
Federal SNAP Agency website: fns.usda.gov/snap