January 8, 2020 3:10 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Human Services will continue to offer increased food benefits this month, to help residents struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An ODHS release said the benefit increase applies to current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients who are receiving less than the maximum allotment. In addition, there is also a temporary increase in SNAP benefits of approximately 15 percent for all recipients.

The release said SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive additional benefits as they will be placed directly on their Oregon EBT cards.  Additional benefits will be issued on January 12th and January 29th. The second round of benefits are for anyone who began receiving SNAP on January 12th or after. Households only receive one allotment.