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Seniors and people with physical disabilities
Oregon Department of Human Services

 

Food and financial help



Overview

The Oregon Department of Human Services has a variety of programs to help qualified seniors and people with disabilities meet their basic needs. Eligibility for these programs are based on financial and non-financial eligibility requirements. To help determine whether you may be eligible, and for more information, please link to the one of the following programs listed below.



Food & nutrition

Healthy Eating

The food and physical activity choices you make every day affect your health today and in the future. You may be eating plenty of food, but not eating the right foods that give your body the nutrients you need to be healthy. You may not be getting enough physical activity to stay fit and burn those extra calories.

The best way to stay healthy is to make good choices when you eat.

A healthy eating plan is one that:

  • Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
  • Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
  • Is low in saturated fats, transfats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
Just be sure to stay within your daily calorie needs and to exercise enough. A good resource is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).



Nutrition

Any disease, illness or chronic condition that changes the way you eat, or makes it hard for you to eat, puts your nutritional health at risk. Confusion or memory loss can make it hard to remember what, when or if you've eaten. Depression can cause big changes in appetite, digestion and nutritional status. Poor nutritional health can result from:

  • Eating too little or too much
  • Eating the same foods day after day
  • Not eating fruit, vegetables, and milk products daily
  • Drinking more than one or two alcoholic beverages per day
The warning signs of poor nutritional health are often overlooked. Use this checklist to find out if you or someone you know is at nutritional risk.

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Food Stamps

The Food Stamp Program helps people with low income get better nutrition. Depending on your total income and allowable deductions, you may be able to get up to $139 worth of food stamps per month. If there are more people in your household, you may be eligible for more benefits. Cash and food stamp benefits are made available to consumers through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) using our Oregon Trail Card - a plastic debit card used at point-of-sale devices located at most retail grocery stores and at selected automated teller matchines (ATM)s.

Home-delivered meals

These programs offer meals delivered daily or several times a week, usually around the lunch hour, to home bound people who cannot prepare their own meals. The days for home delivery vary. In some communities, an evening meal may be delivered with the noon meal. Also see: Meals on Wheels.

Congregate meals

Some communities offer nutritious meals in a group setting, often located in senior centers, schools, churches and housing projects for older adults. Social contact is emphasized. Frequently, the mealtime also includes recreational and social activities. Transportation is sometimes provided. Participants contribute what they can to the cost of the meal. Also see: Loaves and fishes.

Oregon Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program

The Oregon Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program (SFDNP) provides low-income seniors with checks that can be used to purchase fresh Oregon grown fruits, vegetables and cut herbs. The checks can only be used at approved farmers' markets and farm stands.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve nutrition to Oregon seniors and support local Oregon farmers. Each spring eligible seniors are notified by mail they may participate in the program. Seniors that choose to participate are mailed checks that they can redeem for produce between June 1 and October 31 of the given year.

To be eligible, seniors must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be at least 60 years old by April 1 of the relevant year;
  • Be receiving either Food Stamps or Medicaid on April 1 of the relevant year;
  • Be living in their own home or apartment;
  • Have income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level for the relevant year.

Also see Oregon Farmers Market Association.

 

 

Other food & nutrition resources

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Cash assistance

OSIP

The Oregon Supplemental Income Program (OSIP) provides a small cash benefit to people who are disabled, legally blind or age 65 or older. The benefit supplements the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For more information on SSI, contact your local Social Security Administration Office.

To get OSIP cash assistance, you must:

  • Be receiving SSI, or
  • Have an income that exceeds SSI standards, but is under the OSIP standards, or
  • Be otherwise eligible for SSI, but not receiving SSI because you have a sales contract with a principal value that exceeds SSI resource limits.
If you qualify for OSIP you will also qualify for OSIPM, known as Medicaid.

A Social Security Administration decision that a person is or is not eligible for SSI is accepted by the Oregon Department of Human Services as a determination of eligibility for OSIP. Download the OSIP brochure (pdf)


Social Security

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a variety of cash benefits to individuals. SSA determines eligibility for Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income benefits, and Medicare. You can apply for Social Security benefits at your local Social Security office, over the telephone, or via their website.

  • Disability Benefits - People with disabilities may be able to qualify for one of two federal disability programs.

Help in your community

Other programs and services may be offered in your local community. For further assistance and information contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or Department of Human Services (DHS) local office in your area .

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Page updated: January 22, 2008

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