August 31, 2020 9:30 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Human Services has received approval from Food and Nutrition Services to distribute increased food benefits in September.

This additional $30 million for eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will bring the total increased benefits to $150 million.

A release from the Oregon Department of Human Services said SNAP households will automatically receive the additional allotment in the same way they receive their current benefits. For most people, that will be an EBT card. Current SNAP households not receiving the SNAP maximum allotment will receive the emergency allotment on September 11th. New SNAP customers who did not receive the September 11th allotment and are not receiving the maximum benefit will get the emergency allotment September 30th.

The release said the increase will bring all households to the maximum benefit. Households that already receive the maximum benefit will not receive any additional benefits.

The allotment will not permanently change a household’s monthly benefit amount. It is a temporary supplement to help during the current health crisis. Go to http://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits to determine the maximum allotment for a household.