Oregon Non-Profits Warn About Proposed Food Stamp Change

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A pair of Oregon non-profits that combat hunger and food insecurity criticized a proposed federal rule change that could result in 3.1 million people losing food aid benefits nationwide.

The Statesman Journal reports that it’s currently unclear how many people in Oregon would be at risk for losing access to the program commonly known as food stamps, but Oregon Food Bank and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon said they believe it could hurt Oregonians.

The proposed rule change from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, published Wednesday, would sever a tie between the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program and SNAP. Currently in 43 states, including Oregon, families who qualify for TANF automatically qualify for SNAP benefits.

Annie Kirschner, executive director of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, said the proposed change “would take away food from families in Oregon.”