November 23, 2020 3:15 a.m. 

Oregon has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Disaster SNAP recipients in 23 Oregon counties, including Douglas, to purchase hot or prepared foods from authorized SNAP retailers until the end of the year.

A release from the Oregon Department of Human Services said normally SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase “hot food products prepared for immediate consumption”. The restriction is being waived following the severe winds and wildfires that led to the displacement of many residents and left them without access to a kitchen to prepare meals. Examples of allowable prepared foods include hot deli foods, fountain drinks, a slice of prepared pizza, hot soup, salad bars and sandwiches.

Benefits can be used at any participating retailer that accepts SNAP EBT cards. Restaurant purchases are still prohibited.

For more information about the waiver: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/DSNAP-Hot-Foods-Waiver.aspx