Guide to Government Benefit Programs in Oregon
If you struggle to afford necessities like food, housing, or utility bills or experience a qualifying life event, like losing your job or having a baby, you may qualify for government help. This help is called "government assistance" or "public benefits."
This guide provides an overview of government assistance programs available to Oregon residents. If you're an immigrant, start with this guide instead.
Feeling overwhelmed? That's pretty normal. Understanding government benefit eligibility and how to apply isn't straightforward. The good news is you can get free help understanding your options by calling 211 or contacting your local Community Action Agency.
Two kinds of government assistance programs
First, it's important to understand that government assistance programs aren't just for people who don't have much money. There are two kinds of government benefit programs:
- Income-based programs: These programs are based on financial need. You may qualify if you have little money or assets and meet other eligibility rules. Income-based programs include SNAP food stamps, TANF cash assistance, SSI disability benefits, and more.
- Non-income-based programs: These programs are not based on financial need. Instead, your eligibility depends on your work history. If you have enough work history, you can get help from one of these programs when you experience a qualifying life event, like having a baby, losing your job, or reaching retirement age. These programs include Unemployment Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, and more.
You can qualify for non-income-based programs even if you have a lot of money in the bank, own your own home, or are otherwise fairly well off.
List of government programs by category
Click the buttons below to learn more about government benefits programs available to people in Oregon:
- Cash assistance programs
- Food, nutrition, and education
- Housing and utility assistance programs
- Medical assistance programs
- Veteran's benefits
- Applying for benefits
Cash assistance programs
Unemployment Insurance
This program helps Oregon workers who lose their jobs and need money while looking for new work. You can receive benefits for up to six months. Monthly benefits are based on how much you earned in the past. Learn more about unemployment insurance here.
Paid Leave Oregon
This new program allows eligible Oregon workers to take time off for reasons like having a baby, dealing with serious health problems, or caring for family members. Paid Leave Oregon provides money during this time off, ensuring workers can take necessary leave without worrying about money. Learn more about Paid Leave Oregon on this government site.
TANF Cash Benefits for Families
The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Cash Assistance Program helps families with little or no money. It provides monthly cash benefits to help them pay for basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. This program also offers job training and childcare support, helping families become self-sufficient. Learn more about TANF here.
TA-DVS Money for Domestic Violence Survivors
The TA-DVS (Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors) Program provides a one-time cash grant of up to $3,200 to people who have experienced domestic violence. This support helps them find safe housing and access necessary resources. Learn more about TA-DVS on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Refugee Assistance
The Refugee Assistance Program supports new immigrants, especially refugees, in Oregon. It gives them financial help and medical coverage to adjust to their new lives. This program also provides job training, language classes, and healthcare services to help them thrive and become self-sufficient. Learn more about refugee assistance on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
This program helps cover childcare costs for parents or guardians working or attending school. It allows low-income families to afford childcare and keep working or improve their skills without worrying about high daycare fees. Learn more about the ERDC on this government site.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC is a tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers. It reduces poverty and encourages people to work. Eligible individuals and families can receive a refundable tax credit to help increase their annual income and cover essential expenses. Learn more about the EITC on the IRS website.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI gives financial support to people with disabilities who have worked and contributed to Social Security. It helps pay for living expenses when you can't work because of a disability. Learn more about SSDI here.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal program that gives financial support to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals with little income. It ensures they have enough money for basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Learn more about SSI here.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
This program gives monthly retirement benefits to people who have paid into the Social Security system during their working years. You qualify if you've earned enough work credits. The amount you receive depends on your earnings history. You can access retirement benefits starting at 62, with full benefits available at 67.
Learn more about retirement benefits on the Social Security Administration website.
Food, nutrition, and education
SNAP Food Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families so they can buy food. SNAP helps reduce hunger and improves nutrition by allowing people to buy healthy food at many grocery stores. Learn more about SNAP here.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a program that provides nutritional support to pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five. Participants receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare services to help improve their health and nutrition. Learn more about WIC on this government site.
Free School Meals Program
This program offers free or reduced-cost meals to eligible school-aged kids. It aims to ensure that children receive nutritious meals during the school day and helps reduce food insecurity. Eligibility is usually based on family income. Learn more about free school meals on the Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon website.
Federal Financial Aid
Federal financial aid helps students pay for college or other post-secondary education. It includes grants, work-study programs, and low-interest loans. This aid makes education more accessible to various students by helping cover tuition and other costs. Learn more about federal financial aid programs on this government site.
Housing and utility assistance programs
Subsidized housing
Subsidized housing programs help low-income families afford rent by paying a percentage of a family's total rent. Subsidized housing programs include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Project-based Section 8 Housing programs.
Affordable housing units
Affordable housing refers to apartment buildings that offer apartments for rent at lower-than-average rates. These apartment buildings are usually built with help from the government, and as a condition of getting that help, the building owner has to keep the rents lower than the average for the area. You typically apply for affordable housing at the building itself. You can look for affordable housing units in your areas using this master list of affordable housing by Oregon County or talk to a Housing Counselor for personalized information and guidance.
Utility bill assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay for their heating and cooling costs, making it easier for them to keep their homes comfortable. The Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) provides financial support to help residents manage their energy bills and access other resources for energy savings. Learn more about these programs on this government site.
Medical assistance programs
Oregon Health Plan
The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) provides health coverage to low-income people in Oregon. OHP also covers all kids under 19, regardless of income or immigration status.
OHP helps with hospital care, mental health treatment, prescription medications, and preventive care. OHP wants to ensure that people in Oregon can get the essential health services they need, no matter their financial situation. Learn more about OHP on this government site.
Medicare
Medicare is a government program that helps people aged 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, pay for their healthcare costs. It covers services like hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications to support their health and well-being. Learn more about Medicare benefits on this government site.
Affordable Care Act Marketplace and Health Insurance Subsidies
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers health insurance options for people and families who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan). You can find plans that suit your needs and budgets through health insurance marketplaces.
The ACA health insurance subsidies help low- to middle-income people afford health insurance by reducing their monthly premium costs. These subsidies make it easier for families to get the medical care they need without spending too much money.
Learn more about health insurance marketplace plans on the HealthCare.gov website.
ArrayRx (formerly Oregon Prescription Drug Program)
The ArrayRx program is available to all people in Oregon. This program helps reduce the cost of prescription medications. With a discount card, people can get lower prices on medicine at pharmacies across the state. This program helps those who do not have insurance or whose prescriptions are not fully covered, reducing the cost of necessary medications. Learn more and sign up on the ArrayRx website.
Veteran's benefits
Veterans can access many government benefit programs, including healthcare, education, disability benefits, and housing assistance. These programs help support those who have served in the military.
Learn more about veterans' benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Applying for benefits
Here's a cheat sheet for where to apply for benefits:
- SNAP Food Benefits, TANF Cash Assistance, Oregon Health Plan, Refugee Assistance, and TA-DVS for domestic violence survivors: Apply through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
- Rent and utility bill assistance: Contact your local Community Action Agency for help applying for rental or utility payment assistance.
- Unemployment Insurance: File a claim through the Frances Online site.
- Social Security Disability Benefits: Apply through the Social Security Administration. You can also refer to this article for a step-by-step guide to applying for disability benefits.
- Social Security Retirement Benefits: Sign up for retirement benefits through the Social Security Administration.
- Medicare: Sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration.
- Paid Leave Oregon: File a claim through the Frances Online site.