Need a Hand?  You May Qualify for Government Benefits

Primary Public Benefits Programs in Oregon

Note: You can apply for some of these benefits for your children or other people in your household if they meet the immigration requirements, even if you do not.  For example, this could help you if your have children who are U.S. citizens born in this country.

Program	Benefit	Immigration Requirements	Income Requirements	Other Comments
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)	Cash assistance to pay expenses.  Monthly benefit amount starts at $310 and increases for more family members.	Citizens, lawful permanent residents, not temporary residents; and all immigrants who are survivors of or at risk of domestic violence	No or very low income.  The more people in your family the more income you can have and still qualify.	Apply at the Community Human Services Division (CHS) (Awelfare@ office).
Retention Payments	pay basic living and job related expenses so you can keep your job.	Same as for TANF	No income requirements	Apply at CHS;  More info. at  1-800-723-3638
Food Stamps (FS)	Recipients use an electronic benefits card (Oregon Trail Card) at retailers to purchase food.  Benefits starts as low as $10/mo. And increase based on income and other factors.	If not a Citizen: Legal Permanent Resident (with AGreen Card@) or domestic violence survivor, who: B Has A40 quarters@; or B Gets disability benefits; or B  Was lawfully residing in the U.S. on 8/22/96 and was 65 or older at that time or is now under 18. B plus other limited categories	The more people in  your family, the more income you can have and still qualify.    Low income, but Income limit is higher for food stamps than for other benefits like TANF or SSI	Apply at CHS.   Migrant and seasonal farm workers are entitled to benefits within 7 days of application.  More info. at 1-800-723-3638
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)	Health care coverage	If not Citizen: B lawful permanent resident (ALPR@ with green card) who: B Resides in US since 8/22/96; B  or  has A40 quarters;@ or B other limited circumstances; Individuals receiving TANF or SSI benefits. * As of July 1, 2002, LPRs do not qualify for first 5 years after entering the U.S.	Low income. The more people in your family, the more income you can have and still qualify.          Children under 19 and pregnant women can have higher family incomes than other adults and still get this benefit.	Apply at CHS or call 1-800-359-9517 for mail-in application.
Citizen Alien Waived Emergency Medical (CAWEM)	Can get a Amedical card@ which will cover emergency medical conditions, labor and delivery (and those children born will qualify for OHP).	No immigration restrictions	Low income; Same as Oregon Health Plan income limits.	Contact local CHS office.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Cash benefits to support yourself and/or your family. Maximum of $545/month for single person; $817 for a couple.	if not a Citizen: Legal Permanent Resident (with Agreen card@): B  with A40 quarters@; or B  receiving SSI on 8/22/96; or B  lawfully residing in U.S. on that date and now disabled; B other limited categories	Must have Acountable income@ less than $545/mo.  (single) or $817/mo. (couple).	Apply at the Social Security Office or by calling 1-800-772-1213
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)	Day care subsidy for working parents paid directly to day care provider	No immigration restrictions	Income limits Depend on family size or Aneed group@	Apply at CHS office.

A40 quarters@B If you have enough wages reported to Social Security you will get a Aquarter.@ You can earn a maximum of 4 quarters in a year.   To get 40 quarters you have to work a minimum of 10 years in this country.