Income Limits

• Oregon follows the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program guidelines for determining income limits for food assistance. If your household's total gross income is less than 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for food stamps. The federal poverty guideline is based on how much families tend to spend on food each year. Larger families have a higher income limit than smaller ones.
  
  

Household Size

• For SNAP purposes, your household does not have to consist of people who are blood or marriage relatives. Any adults living in the house who participate in buying or preparing food may be considered part of the family. Dependent children living in the household also count towards your family size. Thus, same-sex couples, roommates or friends living in your home are part of the household when applying for food stamps in Oregon.
  
  

Benefits Limit

• Your benefit amount depends upon your net income -- your income after deducting expenses such as rent, utilities, medical expenses and a standard deduction. This income must be less than the federal poverty guideline for your family size to qualify. Most families do not get the maximum benefits, as income level and the amount of expenses you pay affect how many benefits you are entitled to.
  
  

How to Apply

• You can apply online at the Oregon Department of Human Services or at your local DHS office. You must list the names and Social Security numbers of all people living in the household and provide income and employment information for each adult. After you finish the application, sign and date it and return it to DHS. You will have to have a face-to-face interview with a DHS representative before receiving food stamps. Give proof of income and expenses to the DHS representative at your interview. If you are approved, you will begin receiving benefits within 30 days of submitting your application.