Guide to Government Assistance Programs in Oregon
Are you struggling to afford food, childcare, or housing? Did you recently lose your job? Or do you need to take time off work for illness, pregnancy, or other reasons? If so, you may be eligible for short- or long-term government assistance.
Government assistance programs (also called public benefits or government benefits) can help you pay for things like food, rent, utility bills, medical care, and childcare.
Government assistance is not just for people with low incomes. Programs such as Paid Leave Oregon, unemployment insurance, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cover many Oregon workers.
This guide explains basic eligibility rules, common assistance programs in Oregon, and where to get help.
If you are an immigrant, start with our guide to government benefits for immigrants instead.
Who can get government assistance in Oregon?
Many people in Oregon can get help from the government. Your eligibility depends on:
- Your income: Most programs help people with low incomes and few resources, such as cars or money in the bank.
- Family size: Some programs are only for people with children or dependents.
- Immigration status: Your immigration status affects which programs you qualify for.
- Work history: Some programs are only for people who have worked in the U.S. and paid taxes.
Not sure where to start?
You can call 211 or contact your local Community Action Agency. These programs can help you understand your options and can often connect you to additional community support.
Explore programs
- Cash assistance or income replacement programs
- Help with food
- Help paying for housing or utilities
- Help paying for medical care
- Help for people with disabilities
- Help for veterans
Cash assistance or income replacement programs
Unemployment Insurance
This program helps Oregon workers who lose their jobs and need money while looking for new work. You can receive benefits for up to six months. Monthly benefits are based on how much you earned in the past.
Learn more about unemployment insurance here.
Paid Leave Oregon
This new program allows eligible Oregon workers to take time off for reasons like having a baby, dealing with serious health problems, injuries, or domestic violence, or caring for family members. Paid Leave Oregon provides money during this time off, ensuring workers can take necessary leave without worrying about money.
Learn more about Paid Leave Oregon on this government site.
TANF Cash Assistance for Families
The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Cash Assistance Program helps families with little or no money. It provides monthly cash benefits to help them cover basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. This program also offers job training and childcare support, helping families become self-sufficient.
TA-DVS Money for Domestic Violence Survivors
The TA-DVS (Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors) Program provides a one-time cash grant of up to $3,200 to people who have experienced domestic violence. This support helps them find safe housing and access necessary resources.
Learn more about TA-DVS on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Refugee Services
New refugees in Oregon can get cash assistance, medical care, employment services, and other support to help them adjust to life in Oregon.
Learn more about refugee assistance on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
This program helps cover childcare costs for parents or guardians working or attending school. It allows low-income families to afford childcare, keep working, or improve their skills without worrying about high daycare fees.
Learn more about ERDC and other childcare assistance programs here.
Help with food
SNAP Food Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families to help them buy food. SNAP helps reduce hunger and improve nutrition by allowing people to buy healthy food at many grocery stores.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a program that provides nutritional support to pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five. Participants receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare services to help improve their health and nutrition.
Learn more about WIC on this government site.
Oregon Food Bank
The Oregon Food Bank provides free meals, groceries, and produce to people at distribution centers across Oregon and southwest Washington.
To find your local food bank, visit the Oregon Food Bank website.
Free School Meals Program
This program offers free or reduced-cost meals to eligible school-aged kids. It aims to ensure that children receive nutritious meals during the school day and helps reduce food insecurity. Eligibility is usually based on family income. Talk to your school for details on how to sign up.
Learn more about free school meals on the Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon website.
Help paying for housing or utilities
Subsidized housing
Subsidized housing programs help low-income families afford rent by paying a percentage of a family's total rent. Subsidized housing programs include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Project-based Section 8 Housing programs.
Affordable housing units
Affordable housing refers to apartment buildings that offer apartments for rent at lower-than-average rates. These apartment buildings are usually built with government help, and as a condition of that help, the building owner has to keep rents below the area average. You typically apply for affordable housing directly at the building.
You can talk to a Housing Counselor or your local community action agency to get help finding and applying for affordable housing.
Utility bill assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating and cooling costs, making it easier to keep their homes comfortable. The Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) provides financial support to help residents manage their energy bills and access other resources to save on energy costs.
Learn more about these programs on this government site.
Health Related Social Needs Benefits (HSRN)
If you are a member of Oregon Health Plan or Health Share of Oregon, you may qualify for extra help with housing, food, or climate-related needs (like getting an air conditioner to help you stay cool during a heat wave).
This program is for people who have complicated health needs, are worried about becoming homeless, or are going through a significant life transition.
Learn more about the HSRN program on the Health Share of Oregon website, or refer to this article for more help finding affordable healthcare in Oregon.
Help paying for medical care
Oregon Health Plan
The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) provides health coverage to low-income people in Oregon. OHP also covers all children under 19, regardless of income or immigration status. OHP helps with hospital care, mental health treatment, prescription medications, and preventive care. OHP wants to ensure that people in Oregon can access the essential health services they need, regardless of their financial situation.
Learn more about OHP on this government site.
Medicare savings programs
Medicare is health insurance for people who are 65 or older. Some people can get Medicare earlier if they have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease, or ALS. It covers services like hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications to support their health and well-being.
However, most people on Medicare still pay monthly insurance premiums, copays, deductibles, and prescription drug costs. If you have Medicare and are struggling to afford health care, you may qualify for programs that help pay for monthly insurance payments, prescriptions, copays, deductibles, or other costs.
Learn more about these programs here.
ArrayRx (formerly Oregon Prescription Drug Program)
The ArrayRx program is available to all people in Oregon. This program helps reduce the cost of prescription medications. With a discount card, people can get lower prices on medicine at pharmacies across the state. This program helps those without insurance or whose prescriptions are not fully covered by insurance, reducing the cost of necessary medications.
Learn more and sign up on the ArrayRx website.
Free clinics
Oregon has many free and low-cost health clinics that offer essential services to individuals and families without insurance or who are underinsured. Many clinics use a sliding fee scale, which means the cost is based on your income.
Find a free or low-cost clinic using the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics website.
Affordable Care Act Marketplace and Health Insurance Subsidies
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers health insurance options for people and families who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan). You can find plans that suit your needs and budgets through health insurance marketplaces.
The ACA health insurance subsidies help low- to middle-income people afford health insurance by reducing their monthly premium costs. These subsidies make it easier for families to access the medical care they need without incurring high costs.
Learn more about health insurance marketplace plans on the HealthCare.gov website.
Help for people with disabilities
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI gives financial support to people with disabilities who have worked and contributed to Social Security. It helps pay for living expenses when you can't work because of a disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal program that gives financial support to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals with little income. It ensures they have enough money for basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.
General Assistance
Provides short-term financial assistance (housing, utility, and cash support) for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and likely qualify for Social Security benefits based on disability.
Learn more about general assistance on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Paid caregiving
Many people with disabilities, including younger people, qualify for paid caregiving services. These services can be provided in your home, in the community, or at a care facility such as a nursing home. These services may be covered by state or county programs.
Learn more about long-term care services on the Oregon Department of Human Services website or contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Connection office.
Help for veterans
Veterans can access many government benefit programs, including healthcare, education, disability benefits, and housing assistance. These programs help support those who have served in the military.
Learn more about veterans' benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.