Food Stamps

Food insecurity among Oregonians is rising, and higher compared to just three years ago, according to a new report from Oregon State University. That comes as some federal lawmakers push to roll back food stamps funding.

The automated parts of the state’s benefit system, which help the state validate things like a person’s income and residency, are working well. But its manual data entry requirements remain a point of weakness.

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee will review its version of the farm bill on May 23. Anti-hunger advocates say a proposed cut to SNAP in the bill would take away $500 million in benefits over the next decade in Oregon. Advocates are calling on the two Oregon legislators in that committee to vote "no" on the changes.

It’s the first permanent boost to the buying power of food stamps since the 1970s.

House Bill 2835 would fund a "benefits navigator" position at all Oregon community colleges and public universities. That person would help students apply for SNAP and other assistance programs.

More than 750,000 Oregonians receive federally funded SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps.