The Arc Oregon

11/06/2025

Buy One, Get One FREE! Register for Emotional Regulation for Kids (Friday, Nov 7, 9-11 AM, $65) and receive a second registration free! Perfect for teams or caregiver pairs. Register here: https://thearcoregon.org/event/emotional-regulations-for-kids/

After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a special discount code to share with a friend. Have them register separately using that code to claim their free spot.

11/05/2025

INFO SESSION TOMORROW: Open a new Oregon ABLE Savings Plan and get a $100 starting deposit! Learn more and sign up here: https://oregonsnt.org/able/

11/03/2025

Federal judges ruled that the Trump Administration must at least partially fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown.

What you need to know:

- November SNAP benefits have not been issued yet. The federal government has not released the funds to the states yet.

- You may not get your full November benefits right away. The Trump Administration is only partially funding November SNAP benefits for now. We hope that we will still be able to issue full November SNAP benefits when the federal government shutdown ends, but we will need direct federal approval.

- SNAP benefits have never been paused before. Some states and vendors, including Oregon and our EBT vendor, don’t currently have systems that can send partial benefits. We are already working on updates so we can send the partial benefits when we get them.

- Watch out for scams! We heard that, since the court rulings on Friday, some people have been seeing text, email, and social media posts telling them to click a link to get their SNAP benefits. Do NOT do this. It is a scam. Only trust information about your benefits from official ODHS sources. Learn more about protecting yourself from benefits theft: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/Pages/protect.aspx

We know this situation is stressful. We are working to get answers and will share information as quickly as we can.

If you need food now, visit https://needfood.oregon.gov to find free food markets, food banks, meal programs and more.

11/03/2025

If you need emergency food assistance during this SNAP interruption, 211info is here to help. They have the latest information about food resources available in your community! Call 2-1-1, text 898211 and enter your ZIP code, or visit: https://www.211info.org/

10/31/2025

The Arc of the United States, along with several other disability advocacy organizations, are hosting a VIRTUAL TOWN HALL next Tuesday at 4pm EST (1pm PST). This event is open to ALL chapters and advocates. The Arc’s Robyn Linscott is one of several speakers who will provide the latest information on activities at the US Department of Education, and what these activities mean for students with disabilities. Register for the town hall below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ROjpXDrPS76Hm2y3udCXbg #/registration

10/31/2025

Here is an important update from the Oregon Department of Human Services about how they are supporting people impacted by the food emergency and lack of SNAP funding.

We know the federal government shutdown is stressful - especially for people facing hunger and the communities working to help them. ODHS is working hard to find ways to support people in Oregon. Here are some things we’re doing right now:

- Governor Tina Kotek declared a food emergency. The ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management is leading a statewide team to get emergency resources where they’re needed most.

- We’re sending $5 million to food banks so they can buy and distribute food to people who need it right away.

- We updated our online food resource hub, Need Food, in English and Spanish. Visit https://needfood.oregon.gov or https://alimentos.oregon.gov to find free food markets, food banks, meal programs and more near you.

- We’re processing as many new SNAP applications and renewals as we can before November 1. Family coaches, case managers, trainers and change leaders from across the agency have stepped up to help our usual eligibility staff get as many benefits issued as possible. Over one weekend alone, we processed nearly 7,000 applications.

- We’re working with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to prepare for an increased need for meal programs for older adults. We’re working together to explore additional funding to make sure home-delivered and community meal programs keep running.

- We’re giving local case managers lists of older adults and people with disabilities who are affected by the SNAP disruption to help target outreach about food resources. We’re also talking with in-home service providers to make sure people who rely on care can access food pantries safely with their support staff.

- ODHS staff from across the agency continue to give to the state employee charitable fund drive, donate to their local food banks and pantries, and volunteer to help however they can.

We are continuing to look for and find more ways we can help. Please know that if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed right now, you are not alone. Call 9-8-8 or visit the Oregon Health Authority’s Get Help Now webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH/Pages/Get-Help.aspx

10/28/2025

Get a FREE $100 credit when you open a new Oregon ABLE Savings Plan! Sign up for our info session NEXT WEEK to learn more: https://oregonsnt.org/able/

10/23/2025

Did you miss last week's info session? Join us for the next one on 11/6/25! Learn how you can get a FREE $100 credit with a new Oregon ABLE Savings Plan. Sign up here: https://oregonsnt.org/able/

10/23/2025

We’ve seen some confusion around the difference between the new federal rules that changed who can get SNAP and how the current federal government shutdown is impacting food benefits. Here is a breakdown of what’s happening and when:

First, the federal government passed a law in July 2025 that changed the rules for who can and cannot get SNAP. ODHS began sending letters on Oct. 15, 2025 to the first group of people who are losing their benefits or having them reduced due to these new rules. You can read about these rules here: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odhs-begins-sending-notices-oct15-about-federal-snap-changes-under-hr1

Second, the federal government shutdown may impact November benefits. On Oct. 10, 2025, the Trump Administration told all states that we cannot give out November SNAP benefits until the federal government shutdown ends - even to people who still qualify under the new federal rules. You can read the notice from the USDA here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FqO7Mwggde6HS58RyQXR_RiOszFpeEu4/view

If Congress and President Trump reach a deal before Nov. 1, 2025, people who still get SNAP benefits under the new federal rules will get their SNAP benefits as usual in November.

If Congress and President Trump do not reach a deal before Nov. 1, 2025, no one will receive November SNAP until the federal government reopens or we receive new direction from the federal government. You can read more about how the federal government shutdown will impact food benefits in November here: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx

The people who received the letters about new federal rules from ODHS mentioned earlier will still lose or see a reduction in SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, 2025 – even if the federal government reopens before then.

We know this is complicated and stressful. We want to help. ODHS is sharing updates as quickly as possible while making sure the information we share is accurate. For the most up-to-date information about federal changes, keep an eye on our social media and website.

If you're worried about having enough food, there are community resources that can help. Check out https://needfood.oregon.gov for support.

10/15/2025

Get a free $100 credit when you sign up for a new Oregon ABLE Savings Plan! Join our info session TOMORROW to learn more: https://oregonsnt.org/able/

10/13/2025

For information regarding The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services within the Department of Education please see the below post from The Arc of the United States.

10/07/2025

Did you know? You can get a FREE $100 credit with a new Oregon ABLE Savings Plan! Join our info session next week to learn more: https://oregonsnt.org/able/