Oregon, OR

Oregon Earned Income Tax Credit #

EITC has long been recognized as the single most effective anti-poverty program for working families with children. Oregon’s EITC is built on that success.

Oregon's EITC, layered on top of the federal credit, can only be claimed by people who earn income through work, and it’s fully refundable, so even if you owe no income tax, you can still claim the full credit amount.

How much is Oregon Earned Income Credit?

Oregon’s current EITC is one of the lowest among states offering EITCs, the credit is set at 12 percent for taxpayers with a dependent under age three, otherwise it is 9 percent. The credit is now available to those filing with an ITIN.

What is the Oregon Child Tax Credit?

In addition, Oregon will also grant single parents or families who make up to $25,000 a year a $1,000 annual credit for every child under the age of 6 with smaller credits available for families with incomes up to $30,000.

The credit, known as the Oregon Kids' Credit, will go into effect for tax year 2023 and is completely refundable. That means eligible taxpayers can receive the credit back as a tax refund.

Oregon Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) #

Oregon TANF offers temporary cash assistance to families with children up to age 18 as well as pregnant women — and it’s limited to the neediest families with little or no income.

Cash assistance is intended to meet a family’s ongoing basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and utilities while they work toward self-sufficiency.

In Oregon, a family is considered “needy” when their net countable income is less than $616 a month for a family of three.

How much do I get for TANF in Oregon?

The current maximum monthly benefit for a family of three with little or no income is $506. Use OregonHelps to estimate your potential eligibility for cash assistance.

How do I apply for TANF in Oregon?

Application for TANF can be done online at One Oregon, or in person at your local DHS Self-sufficiency office. If you prefer to apply over the phone, call 800-699-9075.

Oregon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #

Oregon SNAP helps supplement food budgets for low-income families and individuals, people on public assistance, seniors and people with disabilities.

Benefits are loaded onto what is called an EBT card, some also refer to it as the “Oregon Trail Card” which can be used like a debit card to buy food anywhere EBT is accepted.

Families who receive SNAP may likely qualify for free or reduced lunch program at K-12 schools or free or discounted internet service through the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program.

How much food stamps will I get in Oregon?

Benefits may vary depending on the household size and family income. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $740 in monthly benefits or $440 each month if the family has a net monthly income of $1,000.

What is the income limit for SNAP in Oregon?

Most families in Oregon with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, about $4,143 a month for a family of three, qualify for food stamps.

Gross income limit applies to most households, except those in which at least one person is 60 years of age or older, or receives disability income.

Students, immigrants, and adults between 18—50 without dependents may have to meet additional criteria beyond the income guidelines.

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) #

Oregon is the first state in the nation to allow children who qualify for Medicaid to enroll at birth and stay enrolled until they turn 6, regardless of changes in their household’s income and without having to reapply. ¹

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is a state health care coverage for Oregonians from all walks of life. This includes working families, children, pregnant adults, single adults and seniors.

OHP covers physical, dental and mental health care substance use disorder treatment. It also covers lab tests, X-rays and hospital care. All covered services are free.

What is the maximum income for Oregon Health Plan?

As Oregon is expanding Medicaid coverage, nearly all uninsured Oregonians age 19-64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level may now gain coverage under the ACA.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I apply for OHP Oregon Health Plan?

Oregon is operating a State-Based Marketplace, known as Cover Oregon — through which you can apply for Oregon Health Plan, Healthy Kids and private insurance plans.

Oregon Healthy Kids #

Kids who qualify for Medicaid will now be covered under Oregon Health Plan at birth and stay enrolled until they turn 6.

Healthy Kids is a free or low-cost health coverage program for eligible Oregon children, up to age 19, who are not already insured. Eligibility is based on age, residency and income.

Healthy Kids includes, but are not limited to, medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health coverage, and substance abuse treatment.

There are 3 options for Healthy Kids coverage based on family size and income — no-cost, low-cost, and full-cost.

1. For families who fall into the no-cost option do not pay for coverage through OHP Plus.

2. For families who fall into the low-cost option pay a small portion of the monthly premium on a sliding scale. Families of two to four pay a total of about $50 a month for all kids.

3. For the full-cost option, families buy into the program at full cost — ranging from $165 to $475 per child per month, depending on the age of the child and the plan of choice.

What is the income limit for Healthy Kids in Oregon?

Oregon provides CHIP coverage to children from families with income of up to 305% of the federal poverty level, which is $75,820 for a family of three.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $44,470
• 2 $60,150
• 3 $75,820
• 4 $91,500
• 5 $107,180
• 6 $122,850
• 7 $138,530
• 8 $154,210

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I apply for Healthy Kids in Oregon?

If you are applying for benefits for your children or teens under the age of 19, you may do so online through Cover Oregon.

For more information about Healthy Kids, call
1-877-314-5678

Oregon Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) #

Oregon WIC serves lower-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age 5 who have health or nutrition risks.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Oregon.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Oregon?

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,248
• 2 $3,040
• 3 $3,833
• 4 $4,625
• 5 $5,418
• 6 $6,210
• 7 $7,003
• 8 $7,795

Those who can prove fully eligible for Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan, TANF, SNAP or FDPIR are automatically income eligible for WIC.

How do I apply for WIC in Oregon?

Call 211 or find an agency that provides services near you to schedule a certification appointment.

Oregon Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) #

Families who are working or in school whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for financial help with child care costs.

This child care subsidy program is called Employment Related Day Care (ERDC). Since it is a subsidy, parents are expected to pay for some of the child care costs — known as copayment (copay).

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Oregon?

A family is considered “income eligible” when the total gross monthly income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application or $4,143 a month for a family of three

• Family Size Income Limit
• 2 $3,287
• 3 $4,143
• 4 $5,000
• 5 $5,857
• 6 $6,713
• 7 $7,570
• 8 $8,427

Families can continue to participate in the program until their income is above 250% of the federal poverty level, or $5,179 a month for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Oregon?

ERDC helps parents stay employed, and children well cared-for in stable child care arrangements. You can apply online, by phone or in person at a local office.

Student parents who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for assistance to pay for child care costs through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

For more information on Student Child Care Program, contact

Peggy Cooksey, Grants Administrator
OSAC Grant Programs
1-800-452-8807 ext. 7443

Oregon Head Start #

Oregon Head Start serves pre-school children ages 3 to 5 from families living at or below the federal poverty level; providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services.

Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance are automatically eligible for Head Start, regardless of income. Pregnant women and children birth to 3 may apply for Early Head Start.

What is the income limit for Head Start in Oregon?

Your family qualifies for the Head Start program if your household income is at or below the poverty level. Check the chart below to see if your family qualifies.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $1,215
• 2 $1,643
• 3 $2,072
• 4 $2,500
• 5 $2,928
• 6 $3,357
• 7 $3,785
• 8 $4,213

How do I apply for Head Start in Oregon?

To find and apply for Head Start (age 3-5) and Early Head Start (prenatal up to age 3) services in your area, use this locator. Each location has a phone number listed that you can call to ask questions about eligibility.

Oregon Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) #

Oregon LIHEAP provides low-income Oregonians assistance with their home energy expenses, including bill payment assistance, energy education, case management, and home weatherization services.

Households wishing to apply for assistance from LIHEAP must be at or below 60% of Oregon statewide median income.

Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $750. Priority is given to the elderly, disabled and households with children.

How do I apply for energy assistance in Oregon?

Application for LIHEAP is available October 1 through June 30 each year, depending on funding availability. Call 1-800-453-5511 for additional details.

Oregon Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) #

Oregon LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income households and families who have fallen behind on their water and wastewater bills.

Households who are at or below 60% of Oregon's median income are eligible for a one-time credit up to $1,000 applied to their water utilities account. Priority is given to households that have been disconnected or are at risk of being disconnected.

How can I get help with my water bill in Oregon?

If you are struggling to pay your water or wastewater bills, you should submit your application through your local Community Action Agency along with a copy of your most recent utility bill.

Oregon Unemployment Insurance #

Oregon Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to Oregonians who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

Your weekly benefit amount will be 1.25% of the total wages in your base period, subject to a weekly minimum of $190 and a maximum of $813. Benefits are generally available for up to 26 weeks.

As a condition of eligibility, you must register with iMatchSkills — Oregon’s Premier Job Matching Tool, to be eligible to collect UI benefits, unless exempt by law.

Where do I file for unemployment in Oregon?

Use the Online Claim System or call the nearest UI Center to file your initial unemployment application. To claim your weekly benefits by phone, please call the Weekly Claim Line.

Oregon Paid Family Leave #

Applications for 'Paid Leave Oregon' to open on Monday, August 14, 2023.

Oregon will become the 8th state in the nation to offer paid family and medical leave AND the first in nation to offer 100% wage replacement who earned at least $1,000 in the year prior to claiming their benefit.

Modeled after Oregon’s unemployment insurance program, Oregon’s paid family leave law guarantees every Oregon workers 12 weeks of paid leave for family purposes. The state will also offer safe leave for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, sexual assault or harassment.

If the covered individual is pregnant, has given birth, or has health issues related to childbirth, they may be able to take up to two additional weeks for a total of 14 weeks.

How much does Oregon paid leave pay?

Weekly paid leave compensation is based on the relation of the employee’s pay to the average weekly wage — capped at a maximum benefit of 120% of the average weekly wage. That's approximately $1,525.

Employees can apply for benefits online beginning Aug. 14 through the Oregon Employment Department’s new online system called Frances Online, with benefits starting Sept. 3.

Oregon Opportunity Grant #

Oregon Opportunity Grant is Oregon’s largest state-funded need-based grant program. The OOG is available to financially needy undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time at an Oregon state college or university.

The current EFC limit for eligible students is $8,000. The maximum award is $3,900 per academic year at an Oregon community colleges and up to $7,524 at an Oregon public university.

To be considered for Oregon Opportunity Grant, you must fill out the FAFSA or complete the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) as soon as possible after October 1.

Oregon Promise Grant #

Oregon Promise is a state grant that covers most tuition at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates and GED recipients who filed a FAFSA or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA).

Oregon Promise covers your remaining tuition amount only after any federal Pell Grant and Oregon Opportunity Grant funds have been applied — up to the average cost of 12 credits per term.

Oregon Student Child Care Grant #

Oregon Student Child Care Grant is a need-based program created to help parents enrolled in post secondary education pay for quality child care while attending school. Amounts vary depending on ages and number of children needing care.

To be eligible, you must have a child or legal dependent under the age of 12, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled in a post secondary education program at an Oregon community college or university.

References