Government Shutdown Halts SNAP Benefits for 757,000 Oregonians in November

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, approximately 757,000 Oregonians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing a loss of food benefits in November, as the Trump administration has directed states to halt distribution of these benefits. This includes vulnerable populations such as 210,000 children and 130,000 seniors, with rural communities expected to be particularly hard hit. Oregon officials, including Governor Tina Kotek, have criticized the Trump administration for prioritizing other expenditures over food assistance and urged the president to negotiate a deal with Congress to restore funding. The Oregon Department of Human Services is advising affected residents to seek local food resources and prepare for potential delays. The shutdown, now the third longest in U.S. history, has left the U.S. Department of Agriculture unable to fund SNAP, despite the program's critical role in supporting one in six Oregonians. State agencies continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the federal government response evolves.