Residents across 19 Oregon counties reeling from the one-two punch of storms and power outages have been granted a crucial extension by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). In light of the recent adversity, SNAP beneficiaries now have an additional window to request replacement benefits for food spoiled during the unexpected crises. Originally, applicants had a limited timeframe to report their losses, but ODHS has announced an extension of the deadline to a full 30 days following the December 17 power outages. This decision bolsters the capacity of affected individuals to recover and ensures that fewer go without the sustenance they need.
For those living in Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Douglas, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wallowa, Washington, and Yamhill counties, their deadline to report food spoilage to ODHS is now set for January 16, 2026. The extension is a direct response to the significant disruptions caused by a string of severe weather, which compromised the integrity of perishable food items by knocking out power grids and rendering refrigeration systems across the region ineffectual.
This measure is expected to alleviate some pressure from the residents coping with the aftermath of the natural disasters. Households utilizing SNAP to nourish their families can now tend to the process of replacement without the added stress of an imminent deadline. Recognized within the affected communities, this leniency is perceived as a humane acknowledgment of their current tribulations…