Thursday, August 20, 2026 / Lane County / Oregon
A SNAP notice may not be the last word
Oregon says 93% of people subject to work rules may qualify for an exemption, but recipients need to report it to ODHS.
A work-rule notice does not necessarily mean a SNAP recipient is out of options. The Oregon Department of Human Services says 93% of Oregonians subject to the rules may qualify for an exemption based on health, pregnancy, caregiving, school, work, treatment or other circumstances.
The important verb is report. ODHS says people who believe an exemption applies need to tell the agency so their case can be updated, including when a health condition, job, training program or household responsibility changes. Adults ages 18 to 64 without a child under 14 on their SNAP case generally face an 80-hour monthly work-or-activity rule unless an exemption or waived area applies.
People can review the official exemption list and reporting form online or call the SNAP Work or Activity Rules Team at 833-947-1694, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individual eligibility still requires an ODHS review; the 93% figure is not a blanket exemption.
Field notes
What changed: ODHS issued a fresh reminder that many people under SNAP work rules may qualify for exemptions they have not reported.
Why it matters: An unreported exemption can affect whether a person keeps food benefits after receiving a countable-month notice.
Who may be affected: Oregon SNAP recipients ages 18 to 64 who may be subject to federal work or activity rules, including Lane County residents.