Officials know those City Services fee bills are harder on some folks than others, so they offer folks on a tighter budget something called the Low-Income Assistance Program.
Eligibility is determined based on household income, and applicants will need to show proof of eligibility through enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), or direct certification through Corvallis School District 509J. This is an annual program and must be renewed each year by submitting a new application.
The current assistance credit provides $53.55 per month and is reviewed annually by the City Council.
How to Apply: Go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/billassistance. Applications are processed throughout the year, and eligible community members typically begin receiving credit on their City Services bills about one month after their application is processed by the City.
The program is funded through – you guessed it – an 83-cent surcharge that appears on the monthly City Services bill. Launched in January 2021, the program has provided financial assistance to 849 income-eligible households — an average of 212 households per month.
For SNAP recipients that lost food in last month’s severe weather
For folks that lost food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the Nov. 19-20, 2024 severe weather event, you have 30 days to request replacement benefits from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
Recipients have until Dec. 18, 2024, to request replacement food benefits:
ODHS received federal approval to waive the usual 10-day replacement benefit request deadline to help support people impacted by the strong winds and heavy rainfall that caused power outages for more than 25,000 households. Households who live outside the counties listed above must follow the usual process and request replacement benefits within 10 days of the loss.
Anyone who disposed of food bought with SNAP that was destroyed due to a disaster can request replacement benefits for the cost of the lost food. Requestors should be prepared to provide the total cost of the food lost and may have to provide proof of the event that destroyed the food if they don’t reside in one of the approved counties. But then, if you’re living in Benton County, you’re in an approved county.
How to apply: Replacement SNAP benefits may be requested by calling 800-699-9075 or filling out a request form and emailing it to oregon.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov or visiting a local ODHS office
Once approved, replacement benefits are added to the household’s existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The maximum replacement amount is the cost of the food lost, not to exceed the household’s normal monthly SNAP benefit.
Here’s a complete list of pre-approved counties
- Benton
- Clackamas
- Clatsop
- Coos
- Deschutes
- Douglas
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Josephine
- Klamath
- Lake
- Lane
- Lincoln
- Linn
- Malheur
- Marion
- Multnomah
- Polk
- Tillamook
- Umatilla
- Washington
- Yamhill
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: Visit oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit adrcoforegon.org.
- Find more resources near you: Dial 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211info.org
Ways to get and give help this holiday season
‘Tis the season for connection and caring for one another. But Oregon’s Department of Human Services says this time of year can be challenging for many families. So whether you need a little extra support, or are looking for ways to give back to your community, they’ve got some suggestions to make the holiday season special.
Ways to get holiday help
Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) holiday resources webpage: Their 2024 holiday resources webpage has a list of local organizations that can provide hot meals, toys, winter clothes and more for families and individuals this holiday season. The page is available in English and Spanish, and you can sort the list by county to find resources in your area.
Connect with 211info: Not seeing anything near you on our list? Dial 2-1-1 to connect with someone who can guide you to the support you need. You can also visit 211info.org, enter your zip code, and search for “Holiday Gifts/Toys,” “Christmas Baskets,” or “Christmas Meals.”
Reach out to your local ODHS office: They say they’re here to help! Their local office staff often know about upcoming events and resources in our community. They can also help you learn more about services that be accessed year-round, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and more.
Ways to give holiday help
Donate to ODHS or a community organization: ODHS partners with many community organizations that collect donations, like food, clothes, and toys, that support children in foster care, older adults, families in need, and more. For 2024, they’ve compiled a list with some of the ways you can donate to help the families ODHS serves. Don’t see anything on the list in your area? Contact your local ODHS office for more suggestions. You can also make a financial contribution to ODHS and specify how you want it to be used by emailing dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov.
Volunteer: Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. At ODHS, they have several temporary volunteer opportunities this holiday season for things like wrapping donations, delivering gifts, and helping at holiday parties for children in ODHS care.
Email dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov to learn about holiday openings or to get involved longer-term. If that’s not for you, they also recommend reaching out to local nonprofits or community centers with missions you believe in to see how you can help.
Build community connections: Sometimes, the best way to give back is by simply showing up. Attend local events, check in on your neighbors, and spread the word about the ways to get help that we listed above. A little kindness and connection can go a long way!
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